Bengals at Vikings: Odds, expert picks, analysis, predictions for NFL Week 15

The experts and odds makers agree on one thing this week: The Bengals are extreme long-shots against the Vikings.

The Bengals are currently double digit underdogs to the second seed in the NFC. Cincinnati is also coming off an embarrassing loss at home to one of the worst teams in the NFL. It seems like everyone is just waiting out the final moments of the Marvin Lewis era, and are just hoping the changes this offseason can clear out the bad taste of these last few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have overcome some incredible odds to get where they are. After they lost Dalvin Cook and Sam Bradford early in the season, it seemed like things were going to get rough very quickly.

However, Case Keenum exploded onto the scene to help lead this team to its 10-3 record. He has also been aided by one of the NFL’s best defenses. They are also only just a game behind the Eagles who are sitting at the top seed of the NFC currently, so this Minnesota team still has a lot to play for.

When the odds are this much in favor of one team though it can mean only one thing. It is about to be one of the closest games the Bengals have had all season.

Odds

According to Bovada, the Bengals are 11-point underdogs. The spread has grown since the Bengals opened at 10-point underdogs. The spread isn’t shocking as the Bengals defense is still very banged up, and the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFL.

The over/under is set at 42 points, according to Odds Sharks. There is an easy way for these teams to get over, and that is if the Viking do what the Bears did last week and completely go off against this banged up Bengals’ defense.

The Bengals offense should have some real trouble holding up their end of the bargain, but hopefully having Joe Mixon return to the lineup will help the Bengals offense function.

Betting trends for both teams

• Cincinnati is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games
• Cincinnati is 2-4 straight up in its last six games
• Cincinnati is 6-2 against the spread in its last eight games on the road
• Cincinnati is 3-10 straight up in its last 13 games on the road
• Minnesota is 7-1 against the spread in its last eight games
• Minnesota is 8-1 straight up in its last nine games
• The total has gone over in five of Minnesota's last seven games
• Minnesota is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games at home
• Minnesota is 6-1 straight up in its last seven games at home

Expert picks from Bengals at Vikings

• CBS Sports all eight experts picked the Vikings to beat the Bengals
• ESPN none of ESPN’s 10 experts picked the Bengals
• FOX Sports projects a 16.2 to 22.9 loss for the Bengals
• NFL Pick Watch, which takes into account picks from all around the web, has 100 percent of the picks currently going toward the Vikings