We are all set for three NFL games on Saturday, kicking off in Cincinnati with the Bengals hosting the Vikings. It’s been an odd year for both teams, starting with the host Bengals winning two straight games with a backup quarterback. The Vikings seem to only know the backup life, following the injury to Kirk Cousins and now the benching of Joshua Dobbs. It’s Nick Mullens time for Minnesota, but more importantly, it’s time for the Vikings to do what they do better than anyone on defense — take away big plays. Here is the best Vikings-Bengals same-game parlay for Saturday, Dec. 16.
Vikings-Bengals Same-Game Parlay Picks Saturday
Vikings +3.5 vs. Bengals
The most important number in football is 3. More games end with that margin of victory than anything else, including 7, 6 and 14 (yes, over 10). DraftKings is offering the Vikings at 3.5 as a leg for any same-game parlay, and we are going to start here. Minnesota has won five of its last seven games on the road while covering each one of those contests. A 7-0 record against the spread on the road is nothing to scoff at since these quarterback issues didn’t just happen last week. The return of Justin Jefferson only helps the Vikings but isn’t necessary to them covering 3. The Vikings boast the better defense between the two, especially against the pass. They also have the better offense, even with Jake Browning exploding over the past few games.
Mullens gets some time to prepare and comes off that brutal game against the Raiders — where the Vikings still won the game. The biggest difference is which defense gives up more big plays, and that’s unequivocally the Bengals. The first leg sees Minnesota +3.5 on DraftKings.
T.J. Hockenson Over 52.5 Receiving Yards (NFL Player Prop)
This now bumps up the same-game parlay to a healthy +240 on DraftKings with a simple ask for T.J. Hockenson. The new Vikings quarterback will have both an incredible safety option and dominant target all in one. Even if Jefferson plays, expect Hockenson to cruise past this number — possibly on only a handful of grabs. This speaks directly to how bad the Bengals defense has been slowing down big plays, mainly through the air. We’ve seen this unit get torched, and Hockenson has been productive through a lot of chaos around him.
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Ja’Marr Chase Over 5.5 Receptions (NFL Player Prop)
With all this talk on how dominant and suffocating the Vikings defense has been, there has to be a pathway for value on the Bengals side. That comes in the form of Ja’Marr Chase in the passing game, but not in yards, rather receptions. Browning will face the most aggressive defense he’s seen all season, as the Vikings are as blitz heavy as it gets. They will be in Browning’s face as much as possible, trying to eliminate anything big down field. So far, the Vikings have been super successful in doing this.
The Bengals counter is simply getting the ball to Chase in any form or fashion — quick throws, wide receiver screens and anything else innovative enough to make the cut. Cincinnati has no other option outside of watching its quarterback come back down to reality as he hits the dirt. We close it down with Chase going over 5.5 receptions.
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Final NFL Vikings-Bengals Same-Game Parlay Picks Today
Leg 1: Minnesota Vikings +3.5 (NFL Total)
Leg 2: T.J. Hockenson Over 52.5 Receiving Yards (NFL Player Prop)
Leg 3: Ja’Marr Chase Over 5.5 Receptions (NFL Player Prop)
= +435 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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