It's been difficult to make a final call on this game given the injury report is clearly pushing the public in the direction of the Bengals, but while the Saints will be without their three main wide receivers, that's not the impetus for this pick. Rather, its the Saints' inability to pressure the quarterback; they ranked 29th in the league in that category, meaning the Bengals should be able to keep Joe Burrow's jersey relatively clean despite their own struggles up front. Given Burrow will have Tee Higgins back, the New Orleans secondary got burned last week by Seattle's inferior weapons and top-tier cornerback Marshon Lattimore is now out, this seems like a perfect get-right spot for Cincinnati.

The Saints apparently will be without their top three wideouts as well as Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Oh, and the Red Rifle is starting under center. Joe Burrow tends to do well at the Superdome.

Someday this season, the Bengals are going to get their vertical passing attack back on par with 2021 and I think this might be their best chance after seeing Seattle's Geno Smith put on a passing display last week. The Saints' defense doesn't resist much and has only one interception this season. They also have the NFL's worst worst turnover ratio (-8). Take the Bengals to win on the money line.

After stumbling out of the blocks with two losses, Cincinnati won two in a row and would have three if not for a buzzer-beating field goal defeat at Baltimore. The Bengals are far from resembling their Super Bowl team from last season but are superior to the Saints, particularly if starting QB Jameis Winston remains shelved and the revolving door at the injury-plagued WR position does not stop. Cincy’s recent against-the-spread road record is a shiny 6-1.