Patriots vs. Bengals, 12/15/19 NFL Week 15 Betting Predictions

Patriots vs. Bengals Spread Prediction

The Patriots have dropped two in a row, but they should get back into the win column on Sunday when they visit the one-win Bengals at 1:00 p.m. ET. That said, will the Pats cover as a 10-point road favorite?

Game Snapshot

311 New England Patriots (-10) at 312 Cincinnati Bengals (+10); O/U 41.5

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 15, 2019

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Patriots are receiving 72% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

New England Patriots Fantasy Spin

Sony Michel cashed in his chips with eight yards on five carries to go with one catch for one yard on one target Sunday in New England’s Week 14 loss to the Chiefs. The one-dimensional Michel has turned into something of a weekly punchline here at Rotoworld and Sunday's clunker against Kansas City, who he dominated in last year's playoffs, did little to change the narrative. With New England playing from behind most of the afternoon, Michel spent much of Week 14 as a spectator while receiving back James White drove the ship, just as he did under similar circumstances a week ago in Houston. The 2018 first-rounder has managed to stay healthy, something he couldn't do last year, though his early-season relevance has largely faded as the goal-line touchdowns Michel was consuming for breakfast, lunch and dinner have suddenly disappeared from his diet. As ugly as it's been for Michel recently, the slumping sophomore should have a good chance of finding the end zone, a patch of gridiron real estate he hasn't visited since Week 7, next week when the Pats roll into Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Spin

Joe Mixon rushed 23 times for 146 yards and one touchdown in the Bengals' 27-19, Week 14 loss to the Browns, adding three catches for 40 yards on four targets. Mixon was the offense for the Bengals, and his day could have been much bigger if Cincinnati would have been able to capitalize on its goal-to-go situations a bit better. Mixon was visibly fuming when he didn't get the rock on fourth down on a turnover on downs near the goal line in the second half. But Mixon was able to find the end zone earlier in the afternoon and produced his second 100-yard rushing game of the year. After not scoring on the ground Weeks 1-10, Mixon has three rushing scores over the last four weeks. He'll face the Patriots at home in Week 15.

NFL Betting Trends

New England

The Patriots are 21-5 against the spread in their last 26 games when facing an opponent with a losing record. They have also covered the number in 23 of their last 34 road games.

Cincinnati

The Bengals failed to cover in 10 of their previous 12 home games and are just 1-6 at the window in their last seven games as a home underdog.

Prediction

Count me among those that are already burying the Patriots because of their offense. We’re long past dismissing their issues offensively because they’re Tom Brady and the Patriots. Their running game is non-existent, they have no legitimate vertical threats and Brady looks off with every receiver not named Julian Edelman. That said, the Bengals have the worst collection of linebackers in the league. If the Pats were ever going to rediscover their running game, even for just a week, it’s today in Cincinnati. And if they can establish their rushing attack, the play-action will open for Brady and perhaps he’ll finally hit on a few big plays. After a tumultuous week filled with more cheating allegations, I expect New England to take out its frustrations on an over-matched Cincinnati squad.

NFL Week 15 Prediction: New England Patriots -10