Cincinnati Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 14/12/2023, 13:00  by Matthew Newman | Modified on 15/12/2023 at 13:10 in NFL Prediction

Things are tight in both North divisions ahead of the NFC's Minnesota Vikings heading to take on the AFC's Cincinnati Bengals with both teams having the same 7-6 record on the season. Playoff hopes will be high in both camps even though the Bengals are missing their star quarterback Joe Burrow. Jake Browning has taken over and has done an excellent job so far, a completion rate of 75.5% is phenomenal in his three and a bit games since Burrow went down. Each performance has been better than the last, with the offence putting up 34 points the last two weeks which is the most that they have all season. The rush game is still a long way below par, however, only the Las Vegas Raiders have rushed for fewer yards than the Bengals 1,101 this season. That could force them to use Browning more against a pass defence that has only given up 15 touchdowns through the air in their 13 games this season. Teams passing against the Vikings have completed 69.6% of the time for an average of 6.8 yards.

Less pressure playing on the road has suited the Vikings this season with a 5-2 mark on their travels compared to just 2-4 when they have been on their patch. Nick Mullens looks set to be the 4th different quarterback to start a game for the Vikings this season after replacing Joshua Dobbs last week. Dobbs had been sacked five times before being replaced, Mullens was able to steady the ship and avoided taking a sack for the rest of the game. The offensive line is banged up at the moment for the Vikings which will have the Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson rubbing his hands with glee. Hendrickson has 13.5 sacks this season, only T.J Watt with 14 and Khalil Mack with 15 have more. The Vikings managed just 231 yards of total offence in their win over the Raiders last week, following on from 242 in their game prior against the Chicago Bears. They will need more here.