[Sylvanfan]

Based on the Sagarin numbers it has the Bengals as a +5.74 favorite. So having the line at 5.5 is pretty close.

I think the Raiders could win that game, but it is not a great spot for them coming off a prime time Sunday Game and having an earlier Saturday start on the road. Both teams feature QB's who have no NFL playoff experience, but the game last week for the Raiders was close to a playoff calibre game and Carr has a lot of experience. On the flip side, Burrow is only a year younger than Patrick Mahomes and the College Title game although not a NFL playoff game is still a big game. Plus you now have a Dome team going outside to play in a colder environment. After chasing Herbert for like 70 pass plays 140 hours ago...Maxx Crosby might struggle to do that again.

If you shed the Marvin Lewis/Andy Daulton Bengals bias that might exist, this is a Bengals team that beat KC, played Green Bay and San Francisco to OT losses, kicked the ever living crap out of Pittsburgh twice, and did handle the Raiders. Outside of a loss to the Patriots they played well against good competition, so not as easy to dismiss as some past versions.

The only thing I might consider betting on is the Total. If it looks a bit breezy, than I'd lean to the under as it's a bit harder to make those down field throws for the big plays that both teams will need to run the score past this total.