Vikings vs. Bengals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jake Browning, Bengals Continue to Roll?
The Vikings take on the Bengals this Saturday. Can Jake Browning and the Bengals continue to roll? Jason Radowitz provides his Vikings vs. Bengals prediction, pick, and the latest odds ahead of the game.
Jason Radowitz - December 12, 2023, 12:30 PM EST
5 minVikings vs. Bengals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jake Browning, Bengals Continue to Roll?
The Cincinnati Bengals' odds to win the Super Bowl plummeted after Joe Burrow's wrist injury.
Oddsmakers didn't believe in Jake Browning, like so many fans.
However, Browning and the Bengals have earned two consecutive wins and are now back over .500 with just four more games to play. Looking at the schedule, the Bengals have a legitimate chance of earning ten wins in the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Vikings also lost their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, to a season-ending injury. But when Minnesota added Joshua Dobbs, the hype for the Vikings stayed the same.
The Vikings have lost two of their last three games and haven't scored more than 20 points in those three games.
Dobbs was eventually benched for Nick Mullins before the Vikings added three points to defeat the Raiders on Sunday, 3-0. Most reporters believe Nick Mullins will start ahead of Dobbs on Saturday. But nothing is official.
Does this benefit the Bengals more?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals.
Vikings vs. Bengals Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 16, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NFL Network
Vikings vs. Bengals Odds
- Spread: Vikings +3.5 (-110), Bengals -3.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 39(-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Vikings (+165), Bengals (-200)
Vikings vs. Bengals Injury Report
Vikings
Questionable: G Ed Ingram (Hip), WR Justin Jefferson (Chest), RB Alexander Mattison (Ankle), WR Jalen Nailor (Concussion), OT Brian O'Neill (Ankle)
Bengals
Out: G Jaxson Kirkland (Wrist), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (Quad)
Vikings vs. Bengals Prediction
The Vikings earned a 3-0 victory over the Raiders last weekend. But I can assure you we'll see more points in this game.
The Bengals have been below average in almost every defensive category this season. The pass rush is terrific, and the tackling is okay. However, the Bengals have allowed more than 250 yards in the air per game and have allowed 127.15 yards per game on the ground.
The Vikings should be able to find some offense, no matter who the quarterback is.
It's unclear if Justin Jefferson and Alexander Mattison will play in this game. Those two players would obviously help the Vikings much more in their quest to score a touchdown or two.
Although Dobbs started in front of Mullins, Mullins has more experience in the NFL.
He's played in 25 career games and has 668 career attempts in the NFL. However, Mullins has thrown 27 touchdowns but 23 interceptions in his career. Still, with only 13 attempts, Mullins wasn't sacked once against the Raiders.
If he can avoid sacks from the Bengals, the Vikings will have potential.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have added 34 points in each of their last two games. These high-level performances haven't been against poor defenses. It's come against playoff contenders like the Jaguars and Colts.
Browning has added three passing touchdowns and over 600 yards passing in those two games. He's also completed at least 75% of passes in both games.
The Vikings have a solid secondary. But the pass rush is slow, and the missed tackles can get high. If Browning has time in the pocket, he can use his feet to make plays or wait until Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins get open down the field.
With enough time, Chase and Higgins are very capable of getting open.
Plus, the Bengals have now added a solid workload to former Illinois running back Chase Brown. Brown and Mixon are almost splitting carries, which has kept both fresh. This has recently allowed the Bengals to get more production from their running backs.
The Vikings have been a dumpster fire on offense this season. Facing the Bengals should help. But it won't help enough. Not against this rejuvenated Bengals offense.
Take the Bengals at -3.5.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals Pick
- Bengals -3.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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