Cincinnati Bengals
We know they won’t have QB Joe Burrow. With that, QB Jake Browning will have WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd to carry this attack. The core of this attack is about the running game for me. The aerial attack will work, but the ground game is essential to not leave the team one-dimensional. RB Joe Mixon has not been an excellent player, but he is a good runner. He will need help from supporting RBs who will need to step up.
The defense has changed little and I don’t believe it is a great unit. Despite this, they have players like DE Trey Hendrickson and SS Daxton Hill who are great players. The problem is still in the LB line, which despite being good tacklers has problems being able to cover the average pass, which will be a big problem for this match.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings had QB Kirk Cousins who, despite being a good player, is difficult to see this team going any further than they actually do with him. Now, with the starter injured, QB Nick Mullens is the starter. He will have great receivers to help him like Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Justin Jefferson. The offensive line is competent and the running game is now the responsibility of RB Ty Chandler, who is a good player.
Defense has been a big problem for the team. Still, they have a good pair of pass rushers with Danielle Hunter and DJ Wonnun, but a secondary that despite the good signing of Byron Murphy should suffer a lot on the outside with below average players and a third-round rookie as a starter.
Conclusion:
Both teams have reserve QBs, but the difference in their games is huge. Furthermore, the Bengals’ offense is much more complete than the Vikings’ at the moment. I believe the home team has an advantage and a good handicap line for this match.
I like the Bengals on handicap for this game, believing that their attack can make a difference and I’m going here as the best bet in the match.