Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills betting tips and NFL predictions

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the 2022 NFL playoffs.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & NFL, 8pm Sunday

Best bet

Cincinnati Bengals +5.5
2pts 10-11 bet365, Boyles

Match preview

Neither the Buffalo Bills nor Cincinnati Bengals looked particularly impressive in the first round of the playoffs and much better is expected of both sides when they meet in what’s bound to be an emotional-charged AFC Divisional round clash.

These teams squared off in Week 17 of the regular season, but that game never reached its conclusion after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in the first quarter.

Buffalo say they’ve drawn inspiration and positive vibes from Hamlin’s rapid recovery, and they needed that extra edge in an ugly three-point win over the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round.

It was a performance that should set off alarm bells among punters as seventh-round rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson came close to pulling off a major upset for the Fins.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen often looked rattled by Miami’s blitz-heavy pass rush, turning the ball over three times and taking seven sacks. And that was against a Dolphins defence that was pretty banged up.

The Bengals were also fortunate to advance from Wild Card weekend, edging the Baltimore Ravens, but they have arguably been playing the most consistent football of any team in the NFL over the past couple of months, and they head to Buffalo having won nine games in a row.

Injuries on the offensive line are a concern for Cincinnati but they overcame similar issues when reaching the Super Bowl last year and may have enough depth to negate the threat of a Bills defence who have lacked a pass rush since Von Miller went down injured.

The Bills’ problems are long-standing, hidden by an easy finish to the season that saw them face Patriots, Bears, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Lions and Browns in their final seven games. Miami were the only one of those teams who made the playoffs, and the Bills have played just two teams who made the postseason since all the way back in Week Six.

One of that pair, one were the Dolphins, who they beat by three points, while they lost to the Vikings at home.

If the Bills can’t find another gear they could be in trouble against the consistent Bengals, who appeal as road underdogs to maintain their excellent recent record against the handicap.

The lowdown

Venue Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Surface Grass
Weather Snow showers, 2C
Vegas handicap Bengals +5.5
Vegas points line 48.5

Key stat

The Bengals have covered the handicap in four of their last six playoff games.

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