Seahawks vs Bengals Preview: Time to Buy Cincy’s Offensive Resurgence?
Bengals Set Season-Highs for Points and Yards in Week 5 Win
Following a breakout offensive performance in Week 5, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to stay hot when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati is a 3-point favorite (-108) and -162 on the moneyline, while Seattle is +3 (-112) on the NFL spread and +136 to win outright. The projected total, meanwhile, is 45.5 (-108 Over, -112 Under).
Who has the edge? Let’s dive into the matchup in our Seahawks vs Bengals preview.
Seattle Seahawks vs Cincinnati Bengals 
Date & Time:
Location: Paycor Stadium; Cincinnati
Streaming: CBS
Seahawks vs Bengals Betting Trends
The Seattle Seahawks are 3-1 against the spread this season but 4-9 over their last 13 games. The total has gone Under in six of the Seahawks’ last nine games. The Cincinnati Bengals, meanwhile, are 1-3-1 ATS, including 2-6-1 over their last nine games. The total has gone Under in five of Cincinnati’s last seven games. That’s important to remember when assessing the odds in our Seahawks vs Bengals preview.
That’s More Like It
Are the Cincinnati Bengals back? They looked rejuvenated in Week 5, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 34-20 as a 3-point favorite. It was Cincinnati’s first victory ATS this season.
The offensive explosion was especially encouraging. Ja’Marr Chase hauled in a game-high 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. His 15 receptions were a franchise record, breaking the mark set by Carl Pickens in 1998. The two-time Pro Bowler also finished with the third-highest receiving total of his career.
Before Sunday, the Bengals’ offense was sputtering. They’d scored just three touchdowns through their first four games, three of them losses. And besides getting Chase more involved, there didn’t appear to be an easy fix for a team accustomed to lighting up the NFL scoreboard.
Now they’re seemingly back on track. How will that translate in Week 6? Quarterback Joe Burrow is further removed from the calf strain that hobbled him in training camp, but receiver Tee Higgins is still dealing with a rib injury. Higgins is currently questionable to face Seattle. Be sure to monitor his status when analyzing the odds in our Seahawks vs Bengals preview.
At 2-3, the Bengals are +400 to win the AFC North and +160 to make the playoffs. But their Super Bowl LVIII odds have plummeted from +1100 to +2200, according to NFL odds this week.
Holding Their Own
The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a bye in Week 5. In their last game, Oct. 2, the Seahawks beat the New York Giants 24-3 as a 2.5-point favorite.
Seattle (3-1) has gotten strong play from Geno Smith. The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year has completed 68.3% of his passes for five touchdowns and just one interception through four games. Although he briefly left the victory over New York with a knee injury, head coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Smith is “fine.” That’s a positive development for a team hoping to return to the NFC playoffs.
Although Seattle is just +650 to win the NFC West, a division owned by the San Francisco 49ers, it is -130 to make the playoffs.
Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been a revelation for Seattle, living up to his billing as the No. 5 overall pick. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week after recording seven tackles, two sacks, and a 97-yard pick-6 against the Giants. Oddsmakers have adjusted to his eye-opening play, raising his odds for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year to +250. Witherspoon is currently second on the odds board behind Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (-150).
Certainly, the Seahawks will look to feature Witherspoon prominently against Cincinnati.
Handicapping the Game
The Bengals looked back to form against Arizona, piling up season-highs in both points (34) and total yards (380). Burrow’s performance was particularly encouraging. He finally looked healthy again after completing 36 of 46 passes for 317 yards.
Now, Seattle will be a much stiffer test. The Seahawks have a ferocious pass rush, not to mention they’re well-rested following the bye. But based on what they accomplished last week, the Bengals are a deserving favorite at home.
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