One of the marquee games on the NFL Week 15 schedule will take place in Tampa Bay. The red-hot Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting up a tantalizing matchup between quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Tom Brady.
Both teams are currently in the hunt for their respective division titles, making this game crucial for both sides going into Sunday.
Let’s review the important info and make our Bengals vs Buccaneers betting picks.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cincinnati Bengals Performance Recap and Analysis
The Cincinnati Bengals come into this game as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, having won five games in a row.
They are tied for the top spot in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, who are now dealing with an injury to Lamar Jackson.
That means this game is a golden opportunity for the Bengals to take the lead in their division with just a few weeks left in the regular season.
Ja’Marr Chase Comeback
For the Bengals, the return of Ja’Marr Chase has been huge for their success in the second half of the season.
Chase spent some time on injured reserve earlier in the year, and his return has helped the Bengals stretch the field vertically of late. Against a stout Buccaneers defense, the threat of Chase will be incredibly significant for this squad.
Key Injuries
There are several key skill position players whose statuses are in doubt coming into this contest.
- Tee Higgins
- Tyler Boyd
- Hayden Hurst
Are all questionable due to various ailments. If one or more of them cannot go, the Bengals’ offense could be too reliant on Chase and Joe Mixon to deliver.
Betting Trends to Know
Important to consider for your Bengals vs Buccaneers betting picks During their five-game win streak, the Cincinnati Bengals have covered the spread in all five games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Performance Recap and Analysis
Entering Week 15, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 6-7. However, they are still at the top of the NFC South standings for the year, as every team in their division is below the .500 mark for the year.
Here, the Buccaneers have a chance to get a win at home to bring themselves back to .500 for the season and to strengthen their grip on the NFC South lead.
A Stronger Start for the Bengals
For that to happen, the Bengals will need to get off to a stronger start than they have been in recent games.
Tampa Bay needed a miracle comeback late against the New Orleans Saints two games ago before getting blown off the field by the San Francisco 49ers last week. Another poor start could be costly for the Bucs here.
Key Injuries
On the injury front, the Buccaneers could be without a key member of their offensive line in this game.
Head coach Todd Bowles has said that he does not think that offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs will be good to go for this contest due to an ankle injury.
Without him, the protection of Tom Brady could be lackluster for the Bucs at home.
Betting Trends to Know
Important for your Bengals vs Buccaneers betting picks is the fact that Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone 0-3 against the spread in the three games since their bye week.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds
Tampa Bay comes into this game as an underdog at home, as the Bengals are 3.5-point favorites entering this Sunday afternoon tilt.
As far as the total is concerned, the number is set at 44, as there is a definite contrast in styles between the high-powered Bengals offense and a Buccaneers offense that ranks in the bottom five in scoring.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Picks
Moneyline
On the moneyline, the Cincinnati Bengals have to be the play for this contest. They are on fire right now, having won five straight games, and they rank over 20 spots ahead of the Buccaneers in terms of scoring offense on the year.
Expect them to overcome the Tampa defense en route to a win on the moneyline Cincinnati Bengals odds on the road.
NFL Pick: Bengals (-195)
Over/Under
The total really could go either way here, as the team that imposes its preferred style of play on its opponent will get the total to go in one direction or the other.
Since we expect the Bengals to come away with the win, we will lean toward the over, as they should be able to move the ball effectively enough to get the Buccaneers to come out of their shell offensively.
NFL Pick: Over 44 (-110)
Spread
Since we like Cincinnati to win the game outright, we will take them to cover the spread as well.
There is always the possibility that this is a field goal game late, but the gap in offensive quality here will be too much for Brady and the Bucs to overcome and for us to make any Buccaneers picks.
NFL Pick: Bengals -4 (-105)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Score Prediction
This will not be a shootout, as the Buccaneers do not appear capable of scoring with the Bengals. But the Bengals will win this game with the game going over the total, prompting a score like this one.
NFL Pick: Bengals 27, Buccaneers 20
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