Jaguars vs Bengals on MNF: Preview, odds and best bets
The final game of Week 13 will take place on Monday night in Jacksonville, when the Jaguars (8-3) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6). These two teams seem to be headed in opposite directions, but those who bet on the NFL know that with big spreads like in this one, there is some nuance in picking sides.
In this article, we will preview this Monday Night Football matchup and give out some of our favorite bets. But speaking of bets, it’s never been a better time to bet big and win big with FanDuel Sportsbook. All new sign-ups who bet $5 on any NFL moneyline INSTANTLY receive $150 in bonus bets if their bet wins.
Since starting the season 1-2, Jacksonville has reeled off seven wins in eight games, with the lone loss coming to the 49ers. The Jaguars will return to the Monday night spotlight after going 12 years without playing in the NFL’s weekly conclusion.
The key in this one could be Josh Allen, who leads the team with 12 sacks. The Jaguars are 6-0 when he has at least 0.5 sacks, and is 2-3 when he does not. If Allen can get to Jake Browning, the Bengals could be in for a long night.
A pair of trends make backing Cincinnati in this matchup (at least to win) a fool’s errand. First, the Bengals are an astonishing 1-25 in night games away from home over the past 25 years. That includes 16 straight losses in such scenarios.
That also includes many games with franchise stalwart Joe Burrow at quarterback. Without Burrow, Zac Taylor’s Bengals are 4-20 straight up. Cincinnati should have Tee Higgins, who is expected to play after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury.
The spread, at first glance, seems too big for two capable teams. Especially with Higgins, the Bengals have a lot of talent to compete with Jacksonville. However, quarterback is the most important position in the sport and Browning has not shown (in a small sample size) that he is capable of playing at even a decent level. The Jaguars have been a juggernaut, covering seven of their past eight games. We like them to make it eight of nine.
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Etienne has at least two receptions in all 11 games this season, and at least three receptions in nine games. The two games where he “only” had two came in losses, indicating that targeting Etienne in the passing game is a winning strategy for Jacksonville. With the Jags as such heavy favorites, the over seems very likely to hit on this prop.
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