Bengals at Vikings: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Minnesota Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a win on Sunday, and they have a very beatable team coming to town in the Cincinnati Bengals.

Coming into the 2017 NFL season, many believed that it would be the Green Bay Packers who would come out on top in the NFC North. However, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was injured during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, who have since become the class of the division. Prior to their loss last weekend, the Vikings had reeled off eight straight wins, and are one win away from clinching the division.

Their opponent on Sunday has not been so lucky, as the Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the worst teams in football this season. Last weekend, the Bengals were destroyed at home by the Chicago Bears, which was one of their worst losses of the season. They have talent on both sides of the ball to get it done, but it seems like veteran head coach Marvin Lewis has lost his locker room at this point.

Star rookie running back Joe Mixon is likely out again this week, as he has yet to clear concussion protocol. That is one less weapon the Vikings have to deal with, though their defense would have dominated even with him in the lineup. Minnesota has one of the more balanced teams in all of football this season, and it is not too crazy to think that third-string quarterback Case Keenum might be an MVP candidate through the first 14 weeks of the season.

Odds

Line: Cincinnati Bengals (+11.0)

Over/Under: 42.0

The Vikings are huge favorites in this game, as they are giving 11 points to the visiting Bengals. The over/under is set at 42.0 points, with most of those points likely coming from Minnesota in this one. This line will change a lot throughout the week, so head on over to OddsShark.com for any changes up until kickoff.

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This should be easy work for the Vikings, who are looking to clinch the NFC North title. It has been an incredible year for the team, which has had to endure season-ending injuries to their starting quarterback, and their star running back. Cincinnati is lost right now, and they are not going to find their way against the Vikings on Sunday.

Final Score: Vikings 31 Bengals 17