Sunday brings us an interesting Week 5 matchup when the Cardinals host the Bengals. Arizona is 1-3 this season and facing a struggling Cincinnati squad hoping to earn its first road win of the season.
The Cardinals may have only one win, but they are 3-1-0 ATS. Meanwhile, the Bengals have scored just six points in their two away contests.
Who will win this important NFL contest? Find out when we share our best bets for this matchup between the Bengals and Cardinals on Sunday, October 8.
Bengals vs Cardinals Odds
NFL odds used for this Cincinnati vs Arizona preview were found at FanDuel Sportsbook and are current as of Wednesday, October 4, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Bengals (-166) • Cardinals(+140)
- Spread: Bengals -3.0 (-110) • Cardinals +3.0 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 44.5 (-110) • Under 44.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: Bengals 25.25, Cardinals 19.25
Bengals vs Cardinals Predictions
Score Pick: Bengals 28, Cardinals 17
This game opened back in May with the Bengals as 7.5-point favorites. That number has been bet all the way down to its present -3.0 and that’s mainly due to injuries and inconsistent play by Cincinnati. While the Bengals have underwhelmed, the Cardinals are playing with house money and have been far more competitive than most expected them to be.
Determining a final outcome is difficult because the Bengals have scored just a field goal in each of their road contests (Browns, Ravens) and haven’t looked good offensively in any of their games. But Cincinnati has the better defense of the two, and I believe QB Joe Burrow and the offense will find a way to outscore Arizona on Sunday afternoon.
Bengals vs Cardinals Best Bets & Props
Bengals -3 (-110)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Cincinnati has a terrific opportunity to bounce back here. Arizona doesn’t defend the run or the pass very well, and its defense is probably the softest the Bengals have faced all season.
Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs hasn’t thrown an interception this season, but that could change this week. The Bengals have recorded the seventh-most interceptions in the league, and getting good field position via turnovers would give them a better chance of covering the spread.
Bengals Over 44.5 (-110)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
While neither defense has accomplished much this season, the Cardinals’ offense has been surprisingly good thus far. Dobbs has thrown the ball well and RB James Conner is third in the league in rushing yards. Since the Cincinnati defense has been awful, Arizona will do its part to contribute to the total.
The Bengals’ lack of scoring in their two road games figures to change against a Cardinals’ defense allowing the eighth-most points per game at 25.5. With the status of Bengals WR Tee Higgins (fractured rib) in question, look for WR Ja’Marr Chase to have a big game. It might not go over the number by much, but this one should exceed the 44.5.
TDs Scored Over 5.5 (+128)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
This wager is made on the assumption the Cardinals’ offense will score at least two touchdowns, because I expect the Bengals to put up four TDs against the mediocre Arizona defense. The Bengals’ offense has been putrid thus far, but Burrow, Chase, and RB Joe Mixon should all be highly productive. If that happens and this wager lands, it will pay $128 plus the $100 stake.
Bengals vs Cardinals Same Game Parlay
Bengals vs Cardinals SGP (+302)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.10 units
- Bengals -3 (-110)
- Over 44.5 (-110)
- Bengals 1H 3-WAY NO PUSH (-125)
Our SGP is a three-leg card that has a similar theme as our best bets, with one exception being the Bengals’ three-way moneyline pick. I chose it for the third leg because they’ve been inept during the first halves of games but haven’t played a defense this bad all season. After Cincy comes out firing and wins the first half, it should cover the -3.0 spread and help this game exceed the total.
