Bengals vs Saints Odds & Picks | NFL Week 6

Bengals vs. Saints Odds

Sunday, Oct. 16

1 p.m. ET

FOX

Despite losing quarterback Jameis Winston to a back injury, the Saints offense hasn't missed a beat over the past few weeks. Andy Dalton has been serviceable enough, and star running back Alvin Kamara stole the show a week ago as he amassed 194 yards from scrimmage on 29 total touches in a win over Seattle.

As for the Bengals, they're coming off a heartbreaking defeat to the Ravens, during which Justin Tucker buried a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Both of these teams are dealing with a bevy of injuries that could impact this week's game. For the Bengals, wide receiver Tee Higgins has been nursing an ankle injury that forced him out of Week 4's matchup with the Dolphins. He suited up last week, but  re-aggravated the injury in the first quarter and did not return. He is listed as questionable for this Sunday. In addition to Higgins, left tackle Jonah Williams is also questionable with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, the Saints will be especially thin at receiver as both Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry have been ruled out this week, while Adam Schefter reported on Saturday night that Chris Olave (concussion protocol) is not expected to play either. The Saints will also be without lockdown corner Marshon Lattimore.

Bengals vs. Saints Matchup Analysis

Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Bengals and Saints match up statistically:

Bengals vs. Saints DVOA Breakdown

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Overall DVOA	25	12
Pass DVOA	22	13
Rush DVOA	28	10

	Offense	Defense	Edge
Overall DVOA	20	8
Pass DVOA	27	7
Rush DVOA	4	11

The Lattimore injury is a really big blow to a Saints defense that's already allowed the eighth-most receiving yards and sixth-highest catch rate to opposing wide receivers this season. Tyler Lockett burned the Saints twice last week for a pair of long touchdowns. If Higgins does suit up, this could be a clear get right spot for Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Bengals defense has been quite strong to begin the season and currently ranks seventh in pass defense DVOA and 11th in rush defense DVOA. Cincinnati is also ninth in yards per play allowed. The path of least resistance for the Saints offense will be on the ground, where they rank fourth in rush offense DVOA and are middle of the pack in yards per carry.

The good news for them is that the Bengals will be without premier run-stuffing defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who was placed on Injured Reserve two weeks ago with a knee injury.

Kamara should be the focal point of the Saints' offensive game plan. New Orleans should absolutely look to win the time of possession battle and keep the Bengals offense off the field. The Saints simply don't have the firepower to win a shootout in this spot.

Cincinnati has yet to really get Ja'Marr Chase going and this is the perfect spot with Higgins either out or limited and Lattimore out for New Orleans. I would expect the star wideout to be fed early and often in this one.

Betting Picks

The defensive injuries on both teams should allow both offenses to move the ball, and with this game being played indoors at the Superdome without weather concerns, this could turn into a bit of a back-and-forth affair. If Olave suits up for the Saints, they should have enough offensive success to push the Bengals.

Ultimately, it feels a little strange to see Cincinnati as a road favorite in this spot because of how they've been playing. Kamara is a nice security blanket for Dalton and I am tempted to take the home dog in this spot. However, there should be a decent bit of scoring — especially from the Bengals — and I think this total is a bit low. Give me the over.

Quickslip: Over 43.5 | Play to 44