Bengals - Chiefs betting trends: Pick, odds, point spread and over/under prediction | NFL week 2

In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves on the road, headed to Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. After a disappointing performance last week, the Bengals are sitting as 5.5-point underdogs, and it’s easy to see why the oddsmakers are leaning in Kansas City’s favor. The over/under is set at 47.5, making this matchup one of intrigue for bettors and fans alike.

Bengals vs Chiefs Odds

Looking at the Bengals

Joe Burrow, fresh off offseason wrist surgery, didn’t exactly start his season on a high note. The Bengals offense struggled in their season opener, falling 24-10 to the New England Patriots. Burrow’s usually reliable arm couldn’t get much going, and the team’s offensive firepower seemed dim, managing just a single touchdown all game. This wasn’t the same team that powered through much of last season.

Still, it’s hard to count Burrow out entirely. He’s had Kansas City’s number in the past, going 3-1 in his career against Mahomes and company. Over those matchups, Burrow has posted impressive stats, completing nearly 70% of his passes and averaging 313 yards with 2.3 touchdowns per game. The question is whether this is the week the Bengals offense wakes up. With Ja’Marr Chase back in practice and hungry to prove something, there’s a chance we see a much more dynamic Cincinnati team. But with Tee Higgins nursing a hamstring injury, it’s going to be tough for the Bengals to keep pace with the Chiefs if their offense stalls again.

The Chiefs’ Side of the Ball

Kansas City, on the other hand, opened their season with a commanding performance, beating the Ravens 27-20. Mahomes was sharp, moving the ball efficiently even without Travis Kelce playing a starring role. Kelce managed just three catches for 34 yards, but don’t expect that kind of quiet night from him again. Rashee Rice took the lion’s share of targets, while rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy impressed with a strong debut.

It’s not just the offense that looks promising. The Chiefs defense, a group often overlooked, showed grit last week, and with Andy Reid’s squad having had 10 days to prepare for this Bengals team, you can expect a well-prepared unit ready to exploit Cincinnati’s weaknesses.

Kansas City has been deadly in September games, winning 16 of their last 20 in this month, and their home record has been even more impressive when it comes to keeping games low-scoring. The total has gone under in 16 of their last 20 home games, suggesting that even if the Chiefs take control, it might not be a high-flying affair.

Betting Trends and Prediction

The Bengals have gone 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games against the Chiefs, but that was a different Cincinnati team, one that didn’t look as sluggish as the current version.

Kansas City tends to start the season strong, with that 16-4 record in September games, making them a dangerous opponent this early in the season.

Cincinnati has hit the over in five of their last seven games, but against a Chiefs defense that looks to be in midseason form already, that over might be hard to reach this week.

Our Pick

I’m leaning toward Kansas City to cover the spread. The Bengals’ lackluster performance in Week 1, combined with concerns about Burrow’s wrist and Higgins’ health, makes it hard to trust them in a tough environment like Arrowhead. Kansas City’s offense is clicking, and while the Bengals have had success against the Chiefs in the past, this feels like a different year. Andy Reid with extra time to prepare is never a comforting thought for the opposition.

I’m also taking a look at the under here. The Chiefs have consistently kept home games low-scoring, and with the Bengals offense struggling to find its rhythm, this could be another game where points are at a premium.

Final call: Chiefs -5.5, Under 47.5.