Phil Agius
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Sunday’s cross-conference game between the 49ers and Bengals is one for which bettors should keep a close eye on the latest injury reports with both teams battling injury and illness issues affecting some key performers.
The 4:25pm ET CSB game at Paul Brown Stadium pits the 7-5 Bengals against the 6-6 49ers, with both teams still in the thick of the race for playoff spots.
We have put together a simple 2-leg same game parlay for what could be a fascinating contest in NFL Week 14, and it pays +938 odds with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Joe Burrow 325+ passing yards (alt. passing yards) (+370)
Ja’Marr Chase 100+ receiving yards (alt. receiving yards) (+350)
Parlay odds: +938
Let’s take a look at the reasoning behind each leg:
Joe Burrow 325+ passing yards (alt. passing yards) (+370)
Quarterback Joe Burrow was the Bengals’ main injury concern at the start of the week, but as game time approaches he seems good to go and a bigger issue now is the health of running back Joe Mixon, who has been laid low with an illness all week and is now expected to be a game-time decision, albeit rated likely to play. Samaje Perine would be a capable enough deputy if Mixon is not able to go, but either way, the Bengals have been practicing without Mixon all week and would in any case be well advised to shift their focus more to their air attack against an injury-ravaged 49ers secondary. That threadbare 49ers unit will be missing cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, leaving Josh Norman as their top CB with little experienced support and he is extremely prone to being burned by top wideouts even when he has a stronger supporting cast.
Burrow got hurt on the 6th offensive play of the game against the Chargers last week and still threw for 300 yards, so unless he suffers any late setbacks he should be able to deliver. Eluding the 49ers pass-rush will be key — they are likely to bring plenty of heat knowing their secondary is a disaster waiting to happen — but Cincy is set to get some welcome reinforcements for its suspect O-line this week, with right tackle Riley Reiff and center Trey Hopkins both expected back after missing Week 13 with ankle injuries.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for 49ers vs Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase 100+ receiving yards (alt. receiving yards) (+350)
We’re playing the correlation game here as it’s unlikely either of these legs would succeed individually without the other also cashing. If Burrow exceeds his alternative passing total of 325 yards, it’s highly likely that top Bengals wide receiver Chase will have had the 4th 100-yard game of his rookie season. Actually, maybe his performance against the Ravens in Week 7 should count for 2 as he had 201 receiving yards that day (and Burrow had 416 passing yards).
No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins may not be 100% healthy after an ankle issue, but is likely to play, so Burrow may lean more heavily on Chase and Tyler Boyd. Chase has shown he should have way too much talent for whoever San Francisco is able to put in their secondary, so back Cincinnati’s dream team to have a big day.
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