NFL Predictions – Cincinnati and Atlanta Look to Get Back into the Win Column Sunday

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons both failed to deliver as NFL Betting Predictions favorites in their last games – something that they hope to remedy this week. Sunday’s game features three of the best wide receivers in the game – Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Roddy White.

However, it may be the running games that determine the winner of this Week 7 contest.

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CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-3) vs. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-2)

Sunday, October 24, 1:00 PM ET

Georgia Dome

Atlanta, Georgia

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Odds:

Cincinnati: +3 ½ (-110)

Atlanta: -3 ½ (-110)

Moneyline: Cincinnati +160: Atlanta -190

Total: 42 ½ points

No NFL predictions had the Cincinnati Bengals losing to both the Tampa bay Buccaneers and the Cleveland Browns but unfortunately they did. The Bengals will hope that the bye for stopped the bleeding. Unfortunately for them, things don’t get much easier. The Bengals will need to beat a very good Atlanta team on the road to avoid falling to 2-4 and out of the AFC North race.

Cincinnati’s offense has been OK so far this season but they have been unable to avoid the costly game changing turnover. Despite owning the league’s seventh ranked passing offense and middle of the pack rushing offense, it has been the six turnovers in the last two games that really stand out. Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are an elite offense but need to take better care of the ball, and avoid giving the Falcons a short field. The Falcons are opportunistic and NFL Predictions are that they will make Bengals pay for any mistakes.

The Cincinnati defense is OK as well. They are middle of the pack in both their run and pass defense. Cincinnati’s underachieving D will be tested on Sunday against a well balanced Atlanta offense.

Atlanta, not unlike the Bengals, has their share of offensive weapons although the running game seems to be outpacing the passing game. Michael Turner and Jason Snelling are a terrific tandem and currently have the Falcons ranked sixth in the NFL with 134.8 yards per game.

Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are a very good compliment to this running game forcing teams to respect both aspects of the offense.

Atlanta’s defense has also been OK this season but has been especially vulnerable versus the pass. The Falcons are currently ranked 25th against the pass, giving up 239.5 yards per game. The run defense has held its own but NFL Predictions are that they will have its hands full with Cedric Benson.

NFL Predictions Outlook:

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-5 S/U in their last seven games and are 1-6 S/U in their last seven road contests. They are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games overall, 2-5 ATS in their last seven on the road and 2-3-1 ATS in their last six games versus Atlanta.

Atlanta is 4-1 S/U in their last five games and is 11-2 S/U in their last 13 home games.

Both of these teams need to win this game for different reasons. Cincinnati needs to win to stay relevant in the AFC North and the Falcons need to win to keep ahead of the dangerous New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. Atlanta is 2-0 at home this season and although Cincinnati is coming off a bye, the Falcons appear to be the hungrier, better balanced team. At home, Atlanta is hard to bet against.

NFL Prediction: Atlanta Falcons -3 ½