Another intriguing inter-conference game in the NFL awaits us on Sunday, December 18, and you must not forget to check out the best Bengals vs. Buccaneers betting pick and odds.

Cincinnati is searching for the sixth consecutive victory when they visit Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium. The Bengals are -3.5 favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 44 points. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the first time since 2018.

Bengals didn’t have problems with the Browns at home

The Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-0, 10-3-0 ATS) are playing their best football of the season as they won five games in a row, including four after a bye week. Following a tight victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bengals beat the divisional foes Cleveland Browns 23-10 at home, in what was their best defensive display of the campaign and season-low ten points allowed. Cincy didn’t dominate total yards and first downs but they made crucial stops and deserved to get a W.

Joe Burrow completed 18 of 33 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Ja’Marr Chase was excellent in the air as he posted a game-high 119 yards and a touchdown on ten receptions (15 targets).

Trenton Irwin caught two passes for 58 yards and a score, while Samaje Perine scored a rushing TD. Joe Mixon was the best running back in the game with 96 yards on 14 carries. On defense, Logan Wilson had a monstrous game with a career-high 17 tackles.

TE Drew Sample (knee), DE Trey Hendrickson (wrist), and TE Hayden Hurst (calf) are out indefinitely. WR Tyler Boyd (finger) and WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) are questionable to play on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers experienced a disaster against San Francisco

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7-0, 3-9-1 ATS) displayed one of their weakest offensive performances of the season in a 35-7 road defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa trailed 35-0 early in the fourth quarter and was in jeopardy to finish scoreless, but managed to score a consolation touchdown with less than three minutes to go. The Buccaneers committed three turnovers and forced one on the other end.

Tom Brady completed 34 of 55 passes for 253 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Russell Gage was on the receiving end of that lone TD pass, while Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Julio Jones combined for 134 yards on 14 catches (26 targets). Rachaad White led the team in rushing yards with 56 on 13 attempts. Defensively, Logan Ryan led the Bucs with nine tackles.

LB Shaquil Barrett (Achilles), C Ryan Jensen (knee), G Aaron Stinnie (knee), T Tristan Wirfs (ankle), and T Robert Hainsey (undisclosed) are out indefinitely. CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad), CB Jamel Dean (toe), S Mike Edwards (hamstring), and S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) are questionable to feature on Sunday against the Bengals.

Trends:

Cincinnati:

  • 20-6 ATS in the last 26 games overall
  • 13-3 ATS in the last 16 road games
  • 17-4 ATS in the last 21 games following an ATS win

Tampa Bay:

  • 1-9-1 ATS in the last 11 games overall
  • 1-6-1 ATS in the last eight home games

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick

The Buccaneers still have a lot of problems with their offensive line, which is the biggest reason they are 6-7-0 at the moment. It’s not going to improve when they host the in-form Bengals on Sunday, who arrive in Florida with some banged-up offensive players, but Cincy is still a better-looking team.

The Bengals have a top 10 offense that scores 25.8 points per game, while Tampa Bay is averaging just 17.2 ppg, which is unacceptable given they have such an experienced receiving corps and a legendary Brady under the center. The Buccaneers’ defense is stronger than Cincy’s, but that is not going to help them on Sunday.

Pick: Take the Bengals at -3.5 (-110)

The Total

The only way for the Buccaneers to win this game is to make it a low-scoring affair. They have the quality on defense but it’s going to be very hard to limit the Bengals, who scored 20+ points in each of their last five games. Tampa has the worst run offense in the NHL, so I expect to see a lot of passes from Brady, but also from Burrow, despite the fact that some of his receivers are injured.

I would be surprised if both quarterbacks fail to pass multiple touchdowns. Over is 4-1 in the Bengals’ last five games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game, while Over is 8-3 in the Buccaneers’ previous 11 vs. a team with a winning record.

Pick: Go Over 42.5 points (-130)