Two of the top teams in the AFC square off when the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4, 5-1 home) battle the Buffalo Bills (12-3, 6-2 away) close out the Week 17 NFL schedule on Monday Night Football. The two teams are playoff bound and fighting for the top seed in the AFC.
The pivotal contest kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST inside Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Buffalo is a one-point favorite, and the over/under total is 49.5 points.
What to Know – Buffalo Bills
Buffalo carries a six-game winning streak into Monday’s showdown, and victory locks up the number one seed and a bye through the first round of the playoffs. The Bills have locked up the AFC East division with a five-game advantage over New England Buffalo.
On offense, the Bills are one of the top teams in the NFL, scoring 28.0 points and averaging 411.9 yards of total offense per game. Buffalo’s defense also ranks high, holding opponents to 17.5 points and 336.3 yards of total offense.
Losing Von Miller for the season was a big blow to the Bills stingy defense, and Buffalo could also be without starting safety Jordan Poyer, who is listed as questionable. The offense is healthy and will have all the key pieces in place against Cincinnati.
The Bills are 7-7-1 against the spread this year and 4-3-1 ATS in road contests. In its last sixteen matchups against the Bengals, Buffalo is 11-5 ATS.
What to Know – Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are one game better than the Bills riding a seven-game winning streak into the showdown. A win over Buffalo still gives the Bengals a chance at the top seed in the AFC. Currently, Cincinnati sits as the no. 3 seed in the playoff picture.
Cincinnati’s offense is comparable to the Bills as a top unit in the league averaging 26.1 points and 385.2 yards of offense per contest. Defensively, the Bengals surrender 342.5 yards and 20.4 points to opposing teams.
The loss of right tackle La’el Collins was a major blow to the Bengals offensive line and offense. Outside of Collins, defensive end Sam Hubbard is the only other starter listed with a questionable tag.
Cincinnati owns a 12-3 overall record ATS and a 5-1 mark ATS on its home turf. The Bengals are 7-0 ATS in their last seven contests, including a 5-0 record ATS during that span at home.
The Pick is In
Both teams come into Monday’s AFC tilt backed by strong play over the last two months and a pair of lengthy winning streaks. Buffalo has proven this year that playing on the road has no effect on the outcome, but this would be a huge win for Cincinnati, and expect the home crowd to make its voice heard.
With so much on the line, the Bengals rally behind Joe Burrow and company and had the Bills their third road defeat of the season in a close, high-scoring battle.
The Pick: Cincinnati Bengals ML
