Cincinnati Bengals’ odds to win AFC aren’t surprising
By Kristen Wong
The Cincinnati Bengals got themselves into the AFC division round of the 2021 playoffs, but Vegas doesn’t think they’ll make it farther than that.
After a narrow victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bengals have achieved more than any fan could have imagined this season: win the AFC North, win a playoff game (and break the curse), look like a legitimate (and entertaining!) football team.
Joe Burrow made it clear in his post-game interview that the redemption tour’s not over for this Bengals squad — the goal, as it is for all playoff teams, is the Super Bowl.
The Bengals will face the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in the next round, and even if they manage an upset, they’ll be up against extremely well-organized AFC teams in either Mahomes’ Chiefs or Allen’s Bills.
Can Joey Franchise take them all the way?
Cincinnati Bengals have worst odds to win AFC Conference in 2021
Cincinnati’s odds of winning the AFC are +475, the lowest of all AFC teams, according to WynnBET.
The Chiefs are the favorites at +150, followed by the Bills at +200 and the Titans at +275.
The Bengals have been underdogs before — they’ve practically adopted that identity throughout their entire season — but this isn’t the topsy turvy AFC North. It’s the playoffs, and Cincinnati’s lack of postseason experience understandably ranks them last in bettors’ eyes.
To be clear, Cincy is a very good team. They’re the same team that beat the Chiefs in Week 17 of the regular season, and they’re capable of doing it again.
It’ll just be….a little more difficult.
Before the Bengals even get to the AFC Championship round, they’ll have to go through a Titans team that may have Derrick Henry back in some capacity.
The league’s best running back could be ready to go on Saturday, and as well as the Bengals’ defense has performed thus far, containing Henry is a different beast altogether.
Next. 10 shining stars in Cincinnati Bengals’ monumental Wild Card win. dark
So here we are again. The odds are against them. Their fanbase will be outnumbered in Tennessee. The magic of their Cinderella run may be quickly dissipating before our very eyes.
It’ll be up to the Bengals to change the narrative.