The Cincinnati Bengals have been a popular betting pick during the first two rounds of the AFC playoffs, and that continues to be the case.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, bettors have rallied behind both the Bengals moneyline and (ever-evolving) point spreads, while Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is the most-bet player for multiple prop bets during the Bengals-Chiefs AFC Championship game.
Ohio sports betting kicked off on Jan. 1, just in time for a second-consecutive Cincinnati Bengals playoff push.
Big Bengals bets are trending at BetMGM Sportsbook
Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury caused the Bengals-Chiefs point spread to fluctuate by around 3 points this week. The Chiefs opened as the favorite, but the line swung over to the Bengals for a couple days and then back to the Chiefs after positive Mahomes injury news.
Still, point spread bettors overwhelmingly support the Bengals, currently at +1 at BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio. Seventy-three percent of point-spread bets are on Cincinnati, accounting for 79% of the handle. Similarly, 69% of moneyline bets favor the Bengals, backed by 70% of the handle.
“Ohio bettors are coming out with a bang with heavy action on the Bengals,” said Christian Cipollini, sports trader with BetMGM. “Combining that with Mahomes’ health being in question makes the Chiefs a need for BetMGM this weekend.”
Most bet Chiefs-Bengals props
Bengals bettors have high hopes for star receiver Ja’Marr Chase this weekend. He is the most-bet player in the Bengals-Bills matchup for both first touchdown and anytime touchdown.
Last week against the Bills, Chase hauled in the first touchdown of the game, yielding nice returns for bettors who took that bet last Sunday.
Most-bet AFC Championship player props at BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Ja’Marr Chase to score 1st touchdown (+750)
- Ja’Marr Chase to score anytime touchdown (-105)
- Isiah Pacheco over 47.5 rushing yards (-115)
- Samaje Perine over 17.5 rushing yards (-110)
- Patrick Mahomes under 285.5 passing yards (-115)
Who dey placing bets like this?
BetMGM shared a couple of notable bets that have come in this week. You might have heard running back Joe Mixon’s quote: “When the lights are bright, we shine brighter.”
One Bengals fan might have taken Mixon’s quote to heart when he or she placed a $300,000 bet on the team to score 24 or more points at -120. That bet would net $250,000 if it wins (a $550,000 payout).
Another huge bet was placed on the Eagles -2.5 to the tune of $200,000 at -115.
Notable AFC Championship bets:
- $300,000 on Bengals over 23.5 points (-120)
- $200,000 on Eagles -2.5 (-115)
Eagles and 49ers bettors banking on studs and duds
Before the Bengals’ big game on Sunday, many fans will sit through another great matchup between the Eagles and 49ers. Bettors largely prefer the Eagles at BetMGM.
“The Eagles are also receiving hometown support coming off a big win last week, making the 49ers the current outcome BetMGM wants for the early game,” Cipollini said.
A whopping 75% of point spread bets are on the Eagles to beat the -2.5 point spread. Bettors put their money on the line for that bet, with 85% of the handle supporting those bets.
Speaking of moneyline, 61% of the moneyline handle is backing the Eagles to win. But that money represents only 41% of the bets placed. 49ers backers placed 59% of the moneyline bets and 49% of the total handle.
This might be explained by bettors chasing the longer odds for the 49ers win outright (+125), 0r Eagles bettors hedging their bets with an additional smaller wager on the 49ers.
The most popular player props for the game rely on star players like Christian McCaffrey and A.J. Brown to do what they do best. Interestingly, a couple not-so-household names make the list — but bettors are hoping Sunday isn’t the day they break out.
Bettors are taking the under on Quez Watkins‘ and Jauan Jennings‘ yardage props.
Most-bet NFC Championship player props at BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Christian McCaffrey to score 1st touchdown (+700)
- Christian McCaffrey to score anytime touchdown (-120)
- A.J. Brown over 70.5 receiving yards (-120)
- Quez Watkins under 15.5 receiving yards (-135)
- Jauan Jennings under 14.5 longest reception (-120)
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