AFC WILD CARD GAME 1: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

BY ADAM GREENE

We’ve arrived at the postseason and our Wild Card Saturday begins with a game of first time playoff quarterbacks. Derek Carr brings the hard luck, but hard fighting Las Vegas Raiders to southern Ohio to face off against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first of six playoff games over the weekend.

Las Vegas got here the hard way, winning the only play-in game of Week 18 in overtime over the Las Angeles Chargers. Cincinnati clinched the AFC East two weeks ago and has been battling for playoff position, and trying to keep its players healthy, since.

This is the 34^th all time meeting between the two franchises and the third in the playoffs. Vegas holds a 21-12 advantage in the series, but has lost five of the last seven match ups including the last one on Nov. 21. Joe Burrow passed for 148 yards and a touchdown in the win. Joe Mixon had 30 carries for 123 yards and two TDs. Derek Carr was good for 215 yards, a TD and a pick. Darren Waller caught seven passes for 116 yards,

The Raiders won both previous playoff matches, the last one coming on Jan. 13, 1991. That game is famous for being the career ender for running back Bo Jackson, who broke his thigh bone trying to battle out of a Bengals tackle along the sideline.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (-5, O/U: 48.5)

Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (10-7)

It took four straight victories to seal the postseason deal, but Las Vegas did it dramatically in a 35-32 win over the Chargers last Sunday. Carr finished 20 of 36 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs carried the ball 26 times for 132 yards and a score and Bryan Edwards caught four passes for 63 yards. The Raiders defense sacked Justin Herbert three times (with Max Crosby notching two), picked him off once and allowed a total of 85 yards on the ground.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-7)

The Bengals, with nothing to play for, took no chances, sitting Joe Burrow and playing starters sparingly in a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Brandon Allen, coming off the bench, threw for 136 yards and a touchdown. Trent Taylor caught two passes for 41 yards and Cincy’s defense sacked Case Keenum once and intercepted him once.

THE PICK

Derek Carr was injured the last time the Raiders made the playoffs so he and Burrow are both breaking the postseason seal in this game. The line has dropped a point since it first posted, with plenty of people obviously taking the Raiders and a touchdown. Five is more manageable, but Cincy has a lot of psychological damage as a franchise to overcome in this one. I think they’ll win their first playoff game since 1990-91 season, but they’ll be more than happy to do it by a field goal. Bengals 23, Raiders 20

Last Week

Straight up: 11-5

Against the spread: 10-6

Season

Straight up: 170-101-1

Against the spread: 143-129

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

The NFL season is rolling along and the Week 18 Schedule is up and taking bets at BetOnline.AG.

Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the latest sports news, viral moments, betting odds and the occasional memes.