Go back and look at the betting odds on the NFL at the start of the regular season, and you'll find that very few of the best football sites had the Cincinnati Bengals to make a playoff push. Lo and behold, though, here they are after a shocking Wild Card victory, entering the divisional round of the 2022 NFL postseason. But will the Bengals' Cinderella run continue against the Tennessee Titans? That's what this specific edition of 2022 NFL playoff picks is here to answer.
Before we dive in, here's a look at the latest odds on the NFL playoffs for all the games taking place this weekend, on January 22 and January 23:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Titans | -171 | +151 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Green Bay Packers | -240 | +200 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -135 | +115 | Buffalo Bills |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -150 | +130 | Los Angeles Rams |
Please ensure you're double-checking these 2022 NFL playoff betting odds for accuracy, as they will shift between now and the opening kickoff of Bengals vs. Titans. There is also still plenty of time for you to browse through our extensive reviews of the best online sportsbooks, a catalog of information that will ensure you find the top NFL playoff betting sites in 2022.
Bengals are a Real Threat to Upset Titans
When we previewed the Bengals vs. Las Vegas Raiders Wild Card Game, we made the mistake of buying into the wave that the latter team had been riding. Not only were we wrong, but it was an insult to the Bengals and how well they've been faring pretty much all season.
Most understand how great the Bengals have been on defense. Cincy has one of the NFL's top rushing defenses, and what they lack in big playmakers guarding the secondary, they make up for by putting excellent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That makes them perfectly suited to pull off the upset over the Titans.
Tennessee remains too dependent on their run game to generate scoring opportunities and quality field position. And while Derrick Henry may be a superstar, he cannot take out the Bengals front seven on his own. The Titans will need to vary up their offense with more passing, which figures to be a problem. The Bengals aren't built to prevent huge downfield plays, but they don't need to be. Cincy's front seven will put pressure on Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, forcing him into quick and low-percentage decisions. They're helped even further by Tennessee's lack of long-yardage potential. The Titans wrapped the season basically inside the bottom 10 in net yards per passing attempt.
This game feels like it'll turn into a slug-it-out affair. That ultimately benefits the Bengals. If that's not enough, though, feel free to consider their improving offense under sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincy quietly ranks third in passing touchdowns and seventh in net yards per passing attempt.
Winning playoff games on the road is hard, and the Bengals are led by a young signal-caller. We don't care. We're officially all the way in on them.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (+151)
Cincinnati Should Cover Spread vs. Tennessee
Below you'll find the latest point spread betting odds for Bengals vs. Titans:
- Cincinnati Bengals: +3.5 (-104)
- Tennessee Titans: -3.5 (-116)
There's no decision for us to make. We have Cincy completing the upset, so they will naturally be ready to cover a 3.5-point spread.
Still, if you're more risk averse, working the Bengals point spread isn't a bad idea. You're not getting even money, but you're hedging against a potential close loss. And given how both Cincinnati and Tennessee self-identify as defensive juggernauts, there's a chance the scoring margin in general winds up being incredibly thin. That's another vote of confidence in the Bengals point spread.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (-104)
Cincinnati Should Cover Spread vs. Tennessee
Here are the most up to date Cincinnati vs. Tennessee over/under betting odds:
- Over 47: -113
- Under 47: -107
We are usually reticent to work the under in an NFL playoff game when it checks in a few notches below the 50-point threshold. In this case, however, we have no choice—and we actually feel pretty good about it.
Not only are the Titans and Bengals both elite defensive teams, suggesting they'll be able to get plenty of stops between them, but Tennessee themselves likes to drag out the pace of play with a bunch of short-yardage passes and a ton of handoffs to running back Derrick Henry.
When factoring in this deliberate attempt to skirt huge-yardage offensive possessions, we find ourselves thinking this is the exact type of game that'll struggle to hit 42 or 44 points, let alone come close to topping 50.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans will go under 47.5 points
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NFL playoff betting:
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