NFL Betting: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings

NHL / Andy Richmond / 11 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Two of the league's better teams take each other on knowing they must improve on recent form to boost their Superbowl hopes. Andy Richmond has the best bets for Cincinnati v Minnesota

"This is an excellent game, featuring two of the better teams in the league. The Bengals can prove they are an elite team here while the Vikings have to prove that what happened in Arizona was an aberration. I get the feeling Minnesota will find a way, but it will be close, that Cincinnati defence is tough."

The Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings are both closing in on a division title, but neither were happy with their most recent performances. A steady defence has pushed the Bengals to the top of the AFC North, but that unit faces possibly its biggest challenge of the season on Sunday when they try to hand the Vikings their first home loss.

With a three-game lead over second-place Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Cincinnati (9-3) are on the verge of clinching their second division crown in 19 years and first since 2005. Although they will be hoping to play a lot better than recent unimpressive performances against three of the league's worst teams - Oakland, Cleveland and Detroit. They lost to the Raiders while narrowly escaping defeat against the Browns and Lions.

Sunday will see the Bengals top-ranked scoring defence taking on one of the league's most potent offences. Cincinnati are giving up a league-low 15.6 points per game and that average is down to 11.5 over the last six, a spell during which none of its opponents have cracked 280 total yards. That unit will be tested by Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings, who are second in the league in scoring, averaging 29.9 points, and are among the leaders in yards per game at 399.3.

The Bengals will be without one of their best run stoppers after defensive tackle Domata Peko underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. He was inactive last week and was replaced by Pat Sims.

The Bengals appear to play to the level of their opposition each week and I'm expect improved form here against stiff opposition.

A big game from Bengals running back Cedric Benson is required. He'll be facing off against one of his main running back rivals in Peterson - Benson is third in the NFL with 96.9 yards rushing per game while Peterson is fifth at 91.9 with an NFC-best 12 touchdowns.

The Vikings, however, have the NFL's third-ranked rushing defence, giving up 84.3 yards per game - 60.2 in six home games. Peterson on the other hand is is coming off one of the worst games of his career, and has struggled over the past three weeks. He is averaging just three yards per carry over that span with only one touchdown. Against an excellent Bengals secondary, the Vikings will need Peterson to get back on track and minimise the pressure on Brett Favre.

This is an excellent game, featuring two of the better teams in the league. The Bengals can prove they are an elite team here while the Vikings have to prove that what happened in Arizona was an aberration. I get the feeling Minnesota will find a way, but it will be close, that Cincinnati defence is tough.

Recommendation: Vikings back on track - 1pt win Minnesota -6.5 at [2.0] or better

Tags: Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Betting