Cincinnati Bengals vs New Orleans Saints (10/16/22): Odds, Predictions, Depth Chart

The Bengals head south to New Orleans in a rare inter-conference matchup between two teams who seldom face off. The Bengals and Saints both come into this game with 2-3 records while key players Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry, Tee Higgins and QB Jameis Winston are questionable to play. Let’s take a look at the injuries, depth charts, and matchups these teams must overcome to win.

Cincinnati Bengals Vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Odds

The Bengals are favored by just -2 versus the Saints +2. This indicates that Vegas sees this game as a toss up. Despite the Saints putting up a season high 39 points last week, Vegas anticipates a lower scoring battle with the over/under set at 43.5.

Cincinnati Bengals Vs. New Orleans Saints Prediction

The Taysom Hill effect made a huge contribution for the Saints offense. Against the Seahawks, Hill rushed for three touchdowns, threw a touchdown, and recovered a fumble on special teams. Many began to doubt that the Saints offense could continue its creativity after Sean Payton retired at the end of last season, but the success of Hill’s usage was a step in the right direction.

Taysom Hill. He’s a Football Player. #Saints | @T_Hill4 pic.twitter.com/M4sPZXs8Ry

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 9, 2022

Although it’s still up in the air whether we’ll see Jameis Winston or Andy dalton under center this Sunday, one sure thing is that the Saints run game can carry this offense.

Despite the Bengals tremendous receiving trio in Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd along with pro bowl running back, Joe Mixon, the Bengals offense has underwhelmed this season. Not only do they look like a shell of their super bowl selves, but the stats back it up as the Bengals have just the 22nd ranked offense in terms of yards. NBC’s Chris Simms suggest Zac Taylor needs to scheme up more routes and creative plays for their skill players. Their offensive line has also contributed to their offensive failures, letting up the 4th most sacks with 19. The Bengals top 10 scoring defense has kept them in games this season, but the offense must return to their 2021 form if they desire to make a playoff push.

I’m picking the Bengals to win a tight game over the Saints. Though the Saints and Taysom Hill impressed in their week 5 win, it came at the hands of an awful Seahawk’s defense. I’ll take Burrow and Chase to play with extra motivation as they return to their college home state.

Prediction: Bengals win 24-21, Over hits.

Betting Trends

• Bengals are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games
• Saints are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win

Key Injuries

Cincinnati Bengals Injuries: Jonah Williams (Q), Khalid Kareem (Q), Brandon Wilson (Q), Joe Bachie (Q), Tee Higgins (Q), Tycen Anderson (Q), Isaiah Prince (Q)

New Orleans Saints Injuries: Calvin Throckmorton (Q), Deonte Harty (Q), Payton Turner (Q), Jarvis Landry (Q), Michael Thomas (Q), Marcus Maye (Q), Jameis Winston (Q), Chris Olave (Q), Jerald Hawkins (Q)

Bengals vs Saints Key Matchups

How does this Saints secondary matchup with this Bengals receiving corps? Will the Saints be able to run the ball on this Bengals front?

Bengals Receiving Corps vs Saints Secondary

The Bengals receivers will go up against the 12th best pass defense in the Saints. Led by CB Marshon Lattimore and free agent safety additions Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus May, the Saints secondary certainly has the personnel to match up with these stout Bengals receivers. Fortunately for the Saints, Ja’Marr Chase has struggled to break free since week one when he had his only 100 yard receiving game of the season and Tee Higgins is questionable amid his injury struggles. Look for Burrow to target his other weapons in TE Hayden Hurst and WR Tyler Boyd if Higgins and Chase are unavailable.

Saints Run Offense vs Bengals Run Defense

The Saints run game picked up in a big way last week versus the Seahawks to earn them a tight win. This started with Taysom Hill, who according to Next Gen Stats reached a max speed of 20.07 mph on his 60 yard rushing touchdown and went 59 yards over the expected gain.
https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1579202001027604480?s=20&t=H2Yux2UQYm0vzSMSd-kTDA
Not only did QB Taysom Hill have a huge rushing game, but so did Alvin Kamara, who broke free for his first 100 yard game of the season. It’s important to note though that they did have a remarkable run game versus the Seahawks, who have the league’s worst rushing defense. The Bengals, who rank 7th in run defense, will pose a tougher challenge than the Saints and should focus on stopping the run with the Saints starting quarterback questionable.

Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart

QB: Joe Burrow
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Samaje Perine
LWR: Ja’Marr Chase
RWR: Tee Higgins
SWR: Tyler Boyd
TE1: Hayden Hurst

New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

QB: Jameis Winston
RB1: Alvin Kamara
RB2: Mark Ingram II
LWR: Michael Thomas
RWR: Chris Olave
SWR: Jarvis Landry
TE1: Adam Trautman