Vegas Likes Cincinnati Bengals Over Oakland Raiders

NFL News - November 17th, 2009 - Written by John

With the division in their clutches, and some brand-new insurance in the backfield, the Cincinnati Bengals have all of the sudden become a trendy team in the middle of a remarkable turnaround. They don't figure to need much help this week, though. After pulling hair with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Bengals get a lob against the Oakland Raiders on the road.

BetUS obviously likes Cincinnati, favoring them once again in a remarkable season, by 9 1/2 points with a total of 36. If you are planning on betting on this game or others in week 11 be sure to drop by our NFL Week 11 Betting Odds page for more information on the games.

It is a relatively low number for an offense with as many potential Pro Bowlers as the Bengals. Carson Palmer has a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and Chad Ochocinco is off to his best season in years, bribes withholding. Ochocinco has 668 yards through the air, 11th in the league, and leads his team in catches and touchdowns. But much of the reason for the team's meteoric rise will be out of the lineup this week. Cedric Benson was crunched by Troy Polumalu early last Sunday and will be sidelined for at least a week.

In his absence, the team signed Larry Johnson on Tuesday to shore up the depth chart when the playoffs begin, but he will also be inactive this week.

It really shouldn't matter, the Raiders boast the second-worst offense in the league with just under 10 points a game. JaMarcus Russell hasn't progress throughout the year, despite claims that he is not the reason for the team's inadequicies. Only two receivers have reached the end zone this season, and first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey has a mere six catches for 96 yards.

But expect the return of Darren McFadden to open things up a bit. He was back in the lineup last week after suffering a knee injury, but just had four carries for 11 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. He will likely see more action as the team's most versatile back against the Bengals.

Despite a relatively low over/under, history suggests it's not unlikely to stay below. Cincinnati has hit the under in 18 of it's last 26 games against the AFC, and Oakland has played under in 15 of it's previous 26 games in November.

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