NFL Playoffs: Bengals hungry to end wait for post-season victory

After a thrilling final week of the regular NFL season, it’s time for the all-important playoffs where there are simply no second chances.

The Cincinnati Bengals last win in a post-season game came all the way back in 1992 with a 41-14 wild card win over the Houston Oilers.

With freezing conditions expected at the Paul Brown Stadium this weekend, the improving Bengals might just be able to end that wait, when they host the Las Vegas Raiders in one of the two NFL games in the US on Saturday.

Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)

Match Odds: Raiders 3.05 | Bengals 1.48

Saturday 9.30 PM (UK time)

The Raiders made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth but their time in the limelight might well be short-lived as they travel to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Las Vegas required overtime to see off the Los Angeles Chargers in a dramatic final game to cap off what has been somewhat of a rollercoaster regular season for the Nevada franchise.

With the Raiders leaking 32 points on defense in that game against LA, it should give Bengals fans hope that Saturday could be a day to remember as they go in search of that first playoff win in 31 years.

A 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the penultimate round of the regular season shows what this Bengals team are capable of with quarterback Joe Burrow in the pocket.

There might not be much in this one, but with home advantage and Burrow on form, the Bengals should be able to earn that landmark play-off win.

Tip: Bengals with -4.5 pts handicap at 1.94

New England Patriots (10-7) @ Buffalo Bills (11-6)

Sunday 1.15 AM (UK time)

Match Odds: Patriots 2.86 | Bills 1.52

Seeing the New England Patriots in the playoffs has been commonplace over the years with head coach Bill Belichick at the helm, but an exit at this stage of the competition certainly hasn’t.

The Bills are on a four-game winning streak as they prepare to welcome their AFC East rivals to Buffalo, which like Cincinnati, will be experiencing sub-zero temperatures.

Belichick will be relying on rookie quarterback Mac Jones to come up with the goods in the biggest game of the 23-year-old’s fledgling career.

Jones has done well in his first season to beat Cam Newton to the first-choice QB spot and help the Pats reach the playoffs, but this game might be a bridge too far for the Alabama graduate.

New England have one win in their last four outings and with Bills quarterback Josh Allen on form, it looks like the hosts should win the bragging rights and playoff progress.

Tip: Buffalo with -4.0 pts handicap at 1.98

Recommended bets:

Bengals with -4.5 pts handicap at 1.94

Buffalo with -4.0 pts handicap at 1.98