Bengals Host Chiefs in Week 2 AFC Preseason Clash

Bengals Host Chiefs Week 2 AFC Preseason Clash

Written by on August 18, 2017

The Kansas City Chiefs will look to rebound from their Week 1 preseason loss while the Cincinnati Bengals will look to build on their impressive win in their scrimmage opener when the two AFC playoff contenders square off on Saturday night in their Week 2 preseason showdown. If you’re looking to find out which one of these teams is offering the best NFL preseason betting lines value in this Week 2 pairing, let’s find out right now.

In Depth Analysis on the Cincinnati Host Kansas City Week 2 AFC Preseason Clash

 
  When: Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM ET Where: Paul Brown Stadium TV: NFLN Radio: Sirius XM Radio Live Stream: NFL Game Pass NFL AFC Preseason Odds: Kansas City Chiefs -2.5 / Total: 38.5 GAMETIME WEATHER Clear 28°C/82°F Humidity 59% Precipitation % 3% Cloud Cover 15% Wind 8 mph WNW Stadium Type Open

Why Bet the Kansas City Chiefs Odds at -2.5

I guess, the best reasons to back the Chiefs in this Week 2 matchup is that they probably want to play a lot better after ending up on the wrong end of a humbling 27-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 in which they gave up 18 fourth quarter points to the rebuilding Niners. Alex Smith completed four of six passes for 48 yards before leaving and watching backup Patrick Mahomes II complete 7 of 9 passes with one TD. Unfortunately, the Chiefs were held to just 31 total rushing yards on 14 carries and the defense allowed Frisco rookie draft pick C.J. Beathard to complete 7 of 11 passes while tossing two touchdowns while also allowing running back Raheem Mostert to rush for 89 yards on 15 carries.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards 336.24 Current Offensive rush yards 106.47 Offensive passing yards 229.76 Average Score For 23.82 Defensive total yards 369.76 Current Defensive rush yards 124.12 Defensive passing yards 245.65 Average Score Against 19.35

Packers vs. Redskins NFL Preseason Week 2 Odds

Why Bet the Cincinnati Bengals Odds at +2.5

Cincinnati cruised to a solid 23-12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 by holding the Bucs to just three second half points and getting a fine performance from backup quarterback Jeff Driskel. While starting quarterback Andy Dalton completed 4 of 5 passes in his limited action, he also tossed an interception before exiting. While Marvin Lewis’ Bengals are just 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games, Cincinnati is also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 AFC preseason games overall. Driskel, who came in after second-stringer A.J. McCarron completed 5 of 8 passes, completed 8 of 9 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown while rushing for an additional 34 yards and an 18-yard touchdown scamper. Defensively, the Bengals harassed veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick into an uninspiring 6 for 13 outing with one interception.

CINCINNATI BENGALS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards 356.94 Current Offensive rush yards 110.56 Offensive passing yards 246.38 Average Score For 20.31 Defensive total yards 350.75 Current Defensive rush yards 113.25 Defensive passing yards 237.50 Average Score Against 19.69

Expert Analysis and Prediction

I’m a bit surprised that the Chiefs are favored in this contest despite being on the road and playing kind of poorly against San Francisco in their opener, but for me, that just makes the Cincinnati Bengals that much more attractive. I know the Chiefs are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games, but Andy Reid’s squad is also just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games. While Marvin Lewis’ Bengals are just 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games, Cincinnati is also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. More importantly, with this game featuring mostly backups, I’m going with Cincy’s McCarron and Driskel over Kansas City’s combination of Pat Mahomes II and Tyler Bray. Besides, Andy Reid is just 34-39 in his career in the preseason, including an uninspiring 6-11 in Week 2 preseason games. While Marvin Lewis has gone 30-28 in the scrimmage season and 9-5 in Week 2 scrimmage affairs.

AFC Preseason Pick: Cincinnati 24 Kansas City 20