Raiders vs. Bengals

Bengals -6, Total at 48.5 as the NFL Playoffs start in Cincinnati. The regular season matchup went Bengals 32-13 in a game that was actually 13-6 going into the fourth quarter. Burrow went 20-29 for 148 yards and a TD in that one, Mixon ran for 123 yards and 2 TD on the way to a 19 point fourth quarter and a 19 point win. Burrow has averaged 331.3 per game at home this year. While its been Jamar Chase with big play ability(18.0 YPC) its also been Tee Higgins who is averaging 107.5 YPG since week 12. The Bengals 7th in passing offense for the year, but it may their ability to run the ball today that makes the difference. Las Vegas allowing 114.3 a game for the year, but the last 3 games they have stepped up allowing just 75.0 on the ground. The pass defense for the Raiders allowing 229 per game.

For the Raiders Carr went for 215 yards in the first game vs. the Bengals, they have the 6th ranked passing offense for the year. The Bengals 26 ranked pass defense allowing 248.4 per game may be where they choose to attack. They will most likely need to rush the ball more than they did in the first matchup only rushing 18 attempts for 72 yards, they rank 26th in percent of rushing plays for the year at 38.6 percent of the time. In general in the cold weather and playoff football you would expect more rushing attempts.

The Team Totals 20.5 Las Vegas(averaged 22.0 for season, 25.0 last 3 and 21.8 on the road) and 27.5 Cincinnati(averaged 27.1 for season, 30.3 last 3, 27.8 at home)

This game could go either way but my prediction is 29-21 Bengals.

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