Vikings vs Bengals Prediction - NFL Picks 12/16/23

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The Minnesota Vikings will play the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Minnesota has lost two of their last three games, while Cincinnati comes into this game on a two game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Vikings vs Bengals prediction.

Vikings Preview

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-6 this season after they defeated the Raiders by a score of 3-0 last week. Minnesota struggled on offense all game, but they were able to put together a late drive for the win. The Vikings out gained Las Vegas by a total of 231-202 and forced three turnovers in the game. Minnesota lost their two previous games against Chicago and Denver by a combined three points. The Minnesota offense is scoring 20.5 points per game with 246.3 passing yards per game and 95.2 rushing yards per game. Nick Mullens has thrown for 83 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions for the Vikings this season. Ty Chandler has rushed for 203 yards and one touchdown, while T.J. Hockenson has caught 85 passes for 839 yards and five scores. The Minnesota defense is allowing 18.6 points against per game this season. 

Bengals Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals are 7-6 this year after they defeated the Colts by a score of 34-14 in their last game. Cincinnati was tied at 14 at halftime, but they out scored Indianapolis by a total of 20-0 in the second half for the win. The Bengals out gained the Colts by a total of 385-272 and forced two turnovers in the game. Cincinnati defeated Jacksonville by a score of 34-31 in the game before Indianapolis, but they did lose the three games prior to that. The Cincinnati offense is averaging 21.5 points per game with 229.5 passing yards per game and 84.7 rushing yards per game. Jake Browning has thrown for 924 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Bengals this season. Joe Mixon has rushed for 768 yards and seven scores, while Ja’Marr Chase has caught 89 passes for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns. The Cincinnati defense is giving up 22.1 points against per game this year. 

Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts

  • The Bengals have won each of their last eight games in December.
  • The Bengals have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against NFC opponents.
  • The underdogs have won the first quarter in five the Bengals' last seven Week 15 games.
  • The Bengals have lost the first half in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a home win.
  • The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games at Paycor Stadium.

Minnesota Vikings Team Facts

  • The Vikings have won four of their last five games as underdogs.
  • The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight December games as underdogs.
  • The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight road games against AFC opponents.
  • The Vikings have won the first quarter in each of their last two games as underdogs against AFC North opponents.
  • The Vikings have lost the first half in each of their last five December games as underdogs.

Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts

  • Joe Mixon has recorded 31+ receiving yards in each of the Bengals' last four games.
  • Joe Mixon has recorded 58+ rushing yards in each of his last four December home appearances.
  • Joe Mixon has scored at least one touchdown in six of the Bengals' last seven games.
  • Joe Mixon has recorded 106+ rushing and receiving yards in four of the Bengals' last five December games as favorites.
  • Joe Burrow has recorded 286+ passing yards in four of his five previous December appearances at Paycor Stadium.
  • Joe Burrow has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of his last four appearances following a win.
  • Joe Burrow has recorded 25+ completions in five of his last six regular season appearances at Paycor Stadium.
  • Evan McPherson ranks T3rd in the NFL in 50+ yard field goals made (7) this season.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

  • Jordan Addison has recorded 44+ receiving yards in each of the Vikings' last six games as underdogs following a win.
  • Joshua Dobbs has scored a touchdown in each of the Vikings' last three games as underdogs following a win.
  • Joshua Dobbs has recorded 221+ passing yards in three of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog following a win.
  • Myles Gaskin has recorded 54+ rushing and receiving yards in four of his last five December appearances against AFC opponents.
  • Myles Gaskin has recorded 23+ rushing yards in each of his last seven appearances with his team as an underdog following a win.
  • Kirk Cousins has recorded 24+ completions in each of the Vikings' last four December games as underdogs.
  • Kirk Cousins has thrown two touchdowns in each of his last four appearances following a win.
  • Danielle Hunter ranks 1st in the NFC for sacks (13.5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in average yards per punt this season (43.7).
  • The Bengals rank T4th in the NFL in interceptions this season (13).
  • The Vikings rank 30th in the NFL in Q1 points per game this season (2.0).
  • The Vikings rank 3rd in the NFL in Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.8).

Vikings vs Bengals Betting Prediction

Both of these teams come into this game with their backup quarterbacks, but they are fighting to stay in playoff contention. Minnesota looked horrible last week against the Raiders, but they escaped with a 3-0 win. The Bengals have won two games in a row and Browning has looked pretty decent in limited work this season. I don’t trust this Minnesota team at all, as they lost to the Bears by a score of 12-10 in the game prior. This Vikings offense is too inconsistent for my liking, so give me the Bengals at home here. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

Mitch's Take...

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