We have hit the key part of the NFL 2023 season which means that we have Saturday night action to enjoy this week and a triple header of tasty football begins in Ohio as the Cincinnati Bengals play host to the Minnesota Vikings.
These two sides both trail teams in their division even though they both have a winning record. Minnesota currently occupy a wildcard spot in the NFC while the Bengals will be chasing one in the AFC. As ever at this stage of the season neither can afford to lose.
Cincinnati Bengals
It is incredible to think that even though they have a 7-6 record this season, the Cincinnati Bengals are currently propping up the table in the AFC North, such is the strength of that division. The Bengals were struggling at 5-6 a couple of weeks ago and with their quarterback Joe Burrow injured it would have been easy for them to throw the towel in but they are trying to create a winning culture in Cincinnati and to their credit they have bounced back with successive victories.
They are still outside the wildcard spot looking in and will certainly need to win three of their last four matches if they are to sneak a postseason spot but they have given themselves the chance and that can’t be downplayed. Wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts were welcome but the key part of those wins is that their offense contributed on both occasions even without Burrow. That bodes well for them going into this one.
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Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings ended a couple of defeats in succession with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in one of the hardest to watch NFL matches in recent times and that has kept them in the wildcard zone in the NFC. They are probably going to need two wins from their last four matches but it might need three if they are going to get a wildcard because you would imagine their recent cold spell ended any chances they have of winning the division.
The Minnesota offense has completely gone missing in recent weeks. They have scored a grand total of 33 points in their last three matches and it is obvious that this team aren’t functioning anything like the same without Kirk Cousins. To their credit, their defence has kept them in matches and if they come to the party here and the offense can find a few bigger plays then there is no reason why the Vikings can’t get a positive result from this trip but that offense needs significant improvement on what we’ve seen recently.
Betting
Not for the first time in recent times we have backup quarterbacks opposing each other to begin the Saturday action. Unlike on Thursday night, I don’t expect a landslide in terms of points but the ones which do come along I think will largely go to the home side. The Minnesota Vikings offense has just stopped firing completely and while there might be a novelty boost under new starter for this game Nick Mullins, I wouldn’t like to guarantee it and even if there is it needs to be a significant one.
Although I’m sure the Cincinnati Bengals would rather have Joe Burrow playing, they haven’t dropped off massively in his absence and being at home I don’t see them struggling too much. While the Minnesota defence is going OK, the Bengals can win on the ground or through the air which makes them tough to stop. I expect the home side to have too much. I’m a little surprised Cincinnati are only giving up a field goal in this one. I expect the Bengals to cover here.
Tips
Back Cincinnati Bengals (-3) to beat Minnesota Vikings for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfair
