NFL Odds Week 15: Vikings vs Bengals Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 15 of the NFL season continues with a meaningful non-conference clash between backup QBs as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Cincinnati Bengals. The betting odds see Cincinnati as a 3.5-point favorite coming off back-to-back impressive victories with Jake Browning under center. Coverage begins from Paycor Stadium in Cincy on Saturday, December 16 at 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 15: Vikings vs. Bengals lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

ESPN BET Sportsbook is here! Use our promo code to join and claim your bonus offer!

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds

• Opening point spread: Bengals -5.5
• Opening moneyline: Bengals -195/Vikings +165
• Opening total: Over/Under 40 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Saturday (NFL Network)

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: BetMGM opened Cincy -4.5 and fell back to -3.5 (-105) by Tuesday afternoon. The number has since toggled between -3.5/-3 at various juice, and it's currently Bengals -3 (-115).

With kickoff three hours out, spread tickets are running 2.5/1-plus and spread money 4/1 on Cincinnati.

The total initially backed up from 39.5 to 39 Monday. Wednesday brought moves to 39.5/40/40.5, and the number remains 40.5. The Over is taking 61% of tickets/71% of money.

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Cincinnati hit TwinSpires' NFL Week 15 odds board as 4-point chalk. The Bengals went to -3.5 early in the week and this afternoon dipped to -3. Cincy is netting 71% of early spread tickets/53% of early spread money.

"Sharp play on the Vikings +4," Lucas said.

New: Get the latest Bet365 casino bonus code here!

The total stuck at the 39.5 opener until going to 40 this afternoon. That said, the Under is landing 59% of tickets/64% of money so far.

UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Cincinnati (7-6 SU/6-6-1 ATS) has won two in a row SU and ATS behind backup QB Jake Browning. In Week 14 against Indianapolis, the Bengals rolled 34-14 laying 3 points at home.

Similarly, Minnesota (7-6 SU/7-4-2 ATS) is finding a way to stay relevant without Kirk Cousins. But Josh Dobbs wasn't nearly as effective as Browning in Week 14. The Vikings escaped Las Vegas with a meager 3-0 victory on a field goal with 1:57 remaining, pushing as 3-point favorites.

Dobbs was replaced in the fourth quarter by Nick Mullens. Vikes star wideout Justin Jefferson exited the game in the second quarter with a chest injury.

Oddsmakers are doing an about-face on Cincy without Joe Burrow. The Bengals opened -5.5 tonight.

"This is as big of an adjustment from a lookahead line that you'll see, without a QB injury," Michaelson said. "We closed Minnesota -1 [on the lookahead]. After what the Vikings' offense looked like against the Raiders, Justin Jefferson likely out and another solid performance by Jake Browning's Bengals, we re-evaluated.

"Cincy's power rating is higher than you'd think."

That said, early movement was toward Minnesota. The Bengals ticked to -5/-4.5 within an hour of opening, then fell to -4 later in the evening.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 15 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Vikings vs Bengals Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 15: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Vikings vs Bengals

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 15 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

ESPN BET Sportsbook is almost here - use our promo code to join and claim your bonus offer!

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson