Needing a win to stay in the playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals host the reeling Las Vegas Raiders. The Bengals look weak after a tough home loss to Philadelphia in Week 8 and need more from their inconsistent backfield. The Raiders are trying to build something positive despite their four-game losing streak. The Bengals are favored by a touchdown at home in this contest.

Cincinnati can make life easier for quarterback Joe Burrow by getting more out of his running game. Cincinnati’s offense ranks seventh in passing yards per game and relies too heavily on Burrow and a talented receiving corps to move the ball when the offense is plagued by slow starts.

Problems arise when Cincinnati’s 28th-ranked rushing attack needs to make a play. Chase Brown far outplayed Zack Moss in his backup role early in the season, only to underperform once when faced with a heavier workload. Brown and Moss will be needed against a Raiders defense that is solid against the pass (7th in passing yards per game) and below average at stopping the run (19th in rushing yards per game). Game). If Burrow receives even average support from the backfield, the Bengals will become a dangerous offense.

Scoring points is a problem for the Raiders. Las Vegas hasn’t scored more than 20 points in a game since mid-September. Inconsistent quarterback play and the league’s second-worst rushing attack are causing the Raiders to fall to the ground on most drives.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew is among the leaders in interceptions this season. A critical strip sack by Minshew ended the Raiders’ chances against Kansas City in Week 8.

If Minshew can limit costly mistakes, getting to the quarterback (30th in sack rate) will be a problem for the Bengals. Minshew should have time to throw to freshman wideout Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers – the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions.

Here’s how to watch the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Cincinnati Bengals

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(Photo by Joe Burrow: Nick Cammett/Getty Images)