WagerTalk NFL handicapper Tony Mejia offers his Cincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 14 betting preview. At the time of posting, the 49ers are holding steady as a 2-point road favorite in Cincinnati, with the total sitting at 49 points.<\/p>\n
Stay on top of the latest NFL<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/p>\n Week 13 may prove memorable in both Cincinnati and the Bay Area as a big reason their teams miss the playoffs, which makes this massive bounce-back game for both one of Sunday\u2019s most compelling matchups. Cincinnati has lost consecutive home games once this season, albeit spread apart by nearly a full month. Coming in 3-3, it hasn\u2019t exactly made the \u201cJungle\u201d a fortress, but should benefit from playing in familiar surroundings for a third straight week. Considering AFC heavyweights Baltimore and Kansas City are still scheduled to come through town, this essentially looms as a must-win to set the tone prior to a make-or-break stretch run that also features visits to Denver and a Jan. 9 stop in Cleveland to close out the regular season.<\/p>\n The Bengals were roughed up at home by the Chargers last Sunday. Turnovers proved lethal, so keeping San Francisco from generating miscues will be tops on the to-do list for Joe Burrow, who has a turnover in eight straight games, the longest streak the Bengals have seen since Andy Dalton struggled in the same manner in 2012. The Bengals allowed Burrow to be sacked six times by L.A. in last Sunday\u2019s loss, so improving his protection will also be a focal point.<\/p>\n Cincinnati will have to deal with Nick Bosa, who has a sack in four straight games and is up to 12 on the season. The 49ers come off a loss at the Seahawks as a short favorite, so avoiding a second straight defeat is going to be crucial if they want to find themselves playing in mid-January since their remaining road games feature tough matchups against the Titans and Rams. Jimmy Garoppolo\u2019s final two passes into the end zone from three yards out went incomplete in the 30-23 loss in Seattle.<\/p>\n Despite connecting with TE George Kittle for two scores, Garoppolo was intercepted twice and the Niners are now 1-5 when he\u2019s been picked off but he is still 4-1 on the road entering this one. Deebo Samuel missed the loss with a groin injury and his availability for this one is in question. He\u2019s been seen stretching in practices but hasn\u2019t gotten out there for drills, which isn\u2019t a good sign. Getting him in the mix with Brandon Aiyuk, Kittle and rookie running back Elijah Mitchell is something that has eluded San Francisco most of the season, so if he\u2019s able to play, we\u2019ll see a potent attack look to get back on track. Mitchell has been in concussion protocol and also had knee pain flair up, so his status is also in doubt. Jeff Wilson would get the bulk of the workload in the backfield if the first-year back from Louisiana is sidelined.<\/p>\n The 49ers had scored 30 or more points in four of five prior to the visit to Seattle and they ultimately lost because they fell one completion short of making it five of six. There have been 31 or more points scored by at least one team in seven consecutive games involving the Bengals, so it\u2019s hard to imagine this game not topping 47.5 since the weather looks like it might cooperate. You may want to wait until closer to game day to pull the trigger to decipher whether rain and wind gusts that might be in the forecast will indeed be a factor, but the high side is definitely worth a long look in this key matchup since neither team can really afford to lose and won\u2019t let go of the rope easily.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcb0 Which dogs are barkin’ this week? Who’s eating at the sandwich deli? Who’s riding the steam train? Join @kellyinvegas<\/a> @MarcoInVegas<\/a> @Greek_Gambler<\/a> and @CalSportsLV<\/a> for the #NFL<\/a> Week 14 edition of #BetOnIt<\/a> as we discuss this weekend’s betting slate.https:\/\/t.co\/UIK9LU2Vay<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WagerTalk (@WagerTalk) December 9, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nCincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers Predictions<\/h3>\n
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\nThe Bengals want no part of 7-6 while the 49ers want nothing more than to finish Sunday\u2019s work sporting that exact record. Both teams know opening December with consecutive losses means you\u2019re headed in the wrong direction, so you can count on his matchup at Paul Brown Stadium packing the intensity.<\/p>\n
\nBurrow is one of 12 players on the Bengals injury report but should be good to go despite finger and knee ailments. WR Tee Higgins has been limited by an ankle issue but should also play. Joe Mixon has been dealing with an illness and top corner Chidobe Awuzie is working through foot pain, but both are hopeful that they\u2019ll be out there for this crucial contest.<\/p>\n\n