The Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals meet Sunday in week 5 NFL action at State Farm Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview 

The Cincinnati Bengals need a win to rebound from a 1-3 start. The Bengals have won 5 of their last 8 road games. Joe Burrow is completing 57.6 percent of his passes for 728 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have combined for 413 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Tyler Boyd has 17 receptions. The Cincinnati Bengals ground game is averaging 70 yards per contest, and Joe Mixon leads the way with 247 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Cincinnati is allowing 23.5 points and 364.3 yards per game. Dax Hill leads the Cincinnati Bengals with 34 tackles, Trey Hendrickson has 3.5 sacks and Logan Wilson has 2 interceptions.

Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts

The Bengals have won each of their last five games against NFC opponents.
The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games.
The Bengals have lost the first half in each of their last seven road games against teams that held a losing record.
The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last nine games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
The Bengals have lost the first quarter in each of their last three games as favorites against NFC West opponents.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview

The Arizona Cardinals also need a win to rebound from a 1-3 start. The Cardinals have lost 5 of their last 6 home games. Joshua Dobbs is completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 814 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Marquise Brown and Michael Wilson have combined for 476 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Zach Ertz has 20 receptions. The Arizona Cardinals ground game is averaging 143.5 yards per contest, and James Conner leads the way with 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Arizona is allowing 25.5 points and 374.5 yards per game. Kyzir White leads the Arizona Cardinals with 37 tackles, Dennis Gardeck has 4 sacks and Zaven Collins has 1 interception.

Arizona Cardinals Team Facts

The Cardinals have lost each of their last four games against teams that held a losing record.
The Cardinals have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs before a Division game.
The Cardinals have won the first half in eight of their last nine October games against AFC opponents.
The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last nine Sunday games played on the West Coast.
The Cardinals have won the first quarter in each of their last three October games as underdogs against AFC North opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cardinals ranked 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game (26.4) last season
The Cardinals ranked T26th in the NFL in turnover differential (-5) last season
The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for points scored per game last season (26.1)
The Bengals ranked 1st in the AFC North for average point differential last season (+6.0)

Randy’s Pick

The Cincinnati Bengals are the more talented team, but they’ve been a mess through 4 games, and that includes being 32nd in total offense and 31st in scoring offense. It doesn’t help, Tee Higgins is dealing with a broken rib and could miss time. The Cardinals have to improve defensively, but their offense has been better than expected, and guys like Dobbs and Conner bring an edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Bengals are in no position to be favorites given their current form, especially on the road. I’ll gab the free field goal with the Cards at home.