Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview & Best Bets: Bengals Looking to Avoid Letdown Against Visiting Chargers

In Cincinnati, we have what should be an entertaining game between two teams looking to be contenders in the AFC. In the current NFL standings, the Chargers and Bengals are fifth and seventh respectively in the AFC playoff picture, and NFL betting odds are in line with where they are. The Chargers come in sixth to win the AFC (+1300), with the Bengals right behind them at +1400.

It is also a fun battle between the two best quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. Look for lots of points.

Cincinnati has the edge on defense, and that should prove to be enough to get a home win and keep the heat on the rest of the AFC North.

Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (7-4), CBS, 1:00 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Betting Odds

Spread

• Los Angeles Chargers +3 (-115)
• Cincinnati Bengals -3 (-105)

Total

• OVER 49.5 (-110)
• UNDER 49.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Chargers +124
• Cincinnati Bengals -146

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 11:50 a.m. ET. Want to see NFL betting odds from several top online sportsbooks for every NFL matchup each week? Check out our NFL odds.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Betting Picks

Check out our Los Angeles Chargers-Cincinnati Bengals NFL betting picks, betting stats, and other Chargers vs Bengals matchup info here: Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals Matchup: NFL Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

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Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview

The Chargers are looking to avoid a second straight road loss at Cincinnati on Sunday. Last week Justin Herbert struggled against a good Denver defense, throwing 2 interceptions. He was also the leading rusher for the Chargers, and that is definitely not the plan coming into any game. The team can rely on his arm, but his mobility is a bonus, not a key to winning.

Herbert is having a solid second season and has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of the last four games. But he has also thrown picks in five of the last six and already has as many interceptions as he did last season (10). They need him to be sharp because the Chargers' defense is barely slowing teams down. Ahead of this game, the Chargers rank last in the NFL against the run and 29th in points allowed.

Cincinnati has to avoid a letdown after making a serious statement in a 41-10 win over the Steelers last week. It is easy to get up for division opponents and this will be a good test for where this team is at mentally. On the field, the offense is humming. They have scored 73 points combined the last two weeks even though Burrow has not put up huge numbers.

RB Joe Mixon is staking his claim as a top-five player at that position and when he is running well the Bengals don’t get cute, they just feed him the ball. He should be able to have another big game. Both teams can be great on offense, but Cincinnati has a major advantage on defense. They have quietly become very good on that side of the ball, ranking 6th in the NFL in points allowed.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals Best Bet

Cincinnati Bengals -3

With both of these offenses, this one could easily come down to whoever has the ball last. Burrow and Herbert might go back and forth in a game that features few punts. I see this game coming down to whichever defense can make a stop or two. In that kind of contest, Cincinnati has to be the play. They also have the ability to get a lead and shorten the game with Mixon. They can play keep-away.

Prop Watch: Cincinnati Bengals to Win and Over 50.5

This is on the parlay tab, and you get an extra bump when you pick one of the combinations they put together. Per the above, I like Cincinnati to win, and I don’t expect this to be a 17-14 game. I see the winning team to score at least 30 points, probably more. If you like the Chargers side, then you can get odds north of +300 but the home side is the way to go here.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals Score Prediction

Cincinnati Bengals 31, Los Angeles Chargers 24