The Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals are two very similar teams — both 7-6 and firmly in the playoff hunt despite losing both of their starting quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. Oh yeah, they also both have two elite wide receivers from LSU in Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
Entering Week 15, both teams are hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive in competitive Wild Card races in each conference. Will Minnesota’s offense improve with the change at quarterback, and can the Jake Browning magic continue? Let’s dive into the Vikings vs. Bengals odds, predictions, and expert picks.
Vikings vs. Bengals Betting Lines
All odds are from ESPN BET — sign up today and use promo code PFN when registering to secure $250 in bonus bets!
- Spread
Bengals -3 - Moneyline
Vikings +140, Bengals -165 - Total
40.5
Vikings vs. Bengals Predictions and Expert Picks
Bearman:Â I like what I have seen so far from Jake Browning since he has taken over in Joe Burrow’s absence. He has completed over 75% of his passes and has thrown for over 900 yards in 3+ games. Just when you thought the Bengals’ season was over, Browning has led them to two consecutive wins, keeping them right in the playoff race.
While the Vikings are alive and fighting for a playoff spot as well, I’ll roll with the better team here giving a field goal at home.
Pick: Bengals -3 (-115 at ESPN BET)
Blewis:Â The Bengals have been playing much better offensively than anyone could’ve imagined with Jake Browning at quarterback over the last couple of weeks. In three starts, Browning has thrown for 285.3 yards per game, with 4 TDs and 2 INTs, 9.84 yards per attempt, and a QB rating of 113.4.
But this is too small of a sample size to completely buy in, and I think this is a good spot to fade him going against this Vikings defense.
Since their 1-4 start, the Vikings have the best defense in the NFL by EPA/play. Brian Flores could certainly be in the running for Assistant Coach of the Year, as he has transformed this defense after they were one of the worst units in football last season.
Inexperienced quarterbacks have struggled going against this Vikings defense all season long, as they blitz at the highest rate in the NFL and also like to drop eight guys in coverage, which makes things very confusing. I’m going to go with the Bengals’ team total under.
Pick: Bengals under 21.5 (-108 at DraftKings)
Katz: I definitely underestimated Jake Browning. He’s been far more competent than I ever could’ve imagined. But he’s also severely overperformed.
Against the Colts, 73% of his passing yards were from yards after the catch. He benefited greatly from a really smart game plan and some well-timed screens to Chase Brown and Joe Mixon.
This is a prime spot for Browning to come crashing back to reality. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has completely revamped this defense on the fly, turning it into a unit opposing QBs don’t want to face.
The Vikings haven’t allowed a passing touchdown in two straight games. They’ve only allowed multiple passing touchdowns in one of their past eight games. I don’t think Browning throws a single one in this contest.
Pick: Jake Browning under 1.5 passing touchdowns (-135 at DraftKings)
Soppe: We all know that the Vikings love to blitz, and that leaves their corners on an island at times. Since the beginning of November, that defensive game plan has resulted in their opponents being ultra accurate when targeting secondary options in the pass game. In my opinion, that tracks. They can’t top everything, and if they are going to continue to blitz, they are going to try to limit the opposing WR1 and take their chances.
Over that stretch, the opposing team’s top secondary option has caught 28-of-32 targets (87.5%). Those players included: Jakobi Meyers, Cole Kmet, Alvin Kamara, Jerry Jeudy, and Kyle Pitts. If we think Browning is going to be efficient when throwing Tee Higgins’ way, that opens everything up.
MORE: FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Vikings have the second-highest opponent completion percentage this season (69.7%), a testament to their blitz heavy scheme leaving receivers in advantageous spots. Building on that thought, those five players mentioned above caught an average of 5.6 passes per game, and with Higgins averaging 13.6 yards per catch this season, clearing 60 yards is a reasonable expectation.
Pick: Tee Higgins 60+ receiving yards (+235 at DraftKings)
Our Betting Lines page has the freshest lines and promos to get BANG for your buck. PFN’s FREE Parlay Calculator and Betting Odds Calculator are also available for your betting process! New to sports betting? Check out our guide on How to Bet on the NFL. Visit our Sports Betting Legal Tracker on how to bet legally in the U.S.
