Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals Preview
When the Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals clash at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025, at 1:00 pm EDT, you can sense the weight of contrasting momentum. Cincinnati arrives riding high on offensive firepower, while Arizona limps in carrying the burden of a seven game losing streak. This has all the hallmarks of a statement game for the home side.
The Bengals demolished Miami 45 to 21 in their last outing, with Joe Burrow throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Arizona has managed under 20 points in their last four games, an offense that’s effectively stalled without key pieces. The temperature and momentum couldn’t be more different between these two clubs heading into this December showdown.
Expect Cincinnati to establish rhythm early, exploiting a Cardinals defense that’s been carved up repeatedly. The Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals game preview suggests a home team eager to dominate, while Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals betting odds reflect the market’s recognition of this mismatch. With 63 degree weather, no rain, and minimal wind, conditions favor the Bengals’ aerial attack.
Key Factors for Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals
The most glaring element shaping this matchup is offensive confidence versus offensive drought. Cincinnati’s attack is humming, particularly at home where they’ve won their last eight games without tight end Drew Sample. That’s a situational trend that speaks to depth and adaptability. Joe Burrow is orchestrating one of the league’s most dangerous passing games right now.
On the flip side, Arizona is dealing with significant absences, notably without Marvin Harrison Jr. in recent contests. The Cardinals have failed to cover in their last four games without him, illustrating how much his presence alters their entire offensive equation. When a rookie becomes that integral and disappears, the scheme tends to unravel quickly against quality opponents.
The Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals betting forecast leans heavily on these contrasts, while the Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals prediction must account for home field advantage meeting desperation. The Bengals have covered their last five December games as favorites, showing they don’t let up when expectations rise. Arizona simply lacks the firepower to keep pace in these conditions.
Recent Trends for Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals
Here’s where things get interesting. Arizona has lost their last 11 Sunday games, a staggering pattern that reveals something deeper than bad luck. There’s a rhythm issue, a preparation problem, or both. Cincinnati, oddly enough, has lost nine of their last 10 Sunday games, creating a fascinating collision of negative trends on the same day of the week.
But context matters enormously here. The Bengals’ December form as favorites has been rock solid against the spread, covering their last five in that exact scenario. They’ve also seen the Over hit in five of their last seven home games, meaning Paycor Stadium has been a scoring environment. The public recognizes this, with 69 percent backing Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals matchup trends point toward a comfortable home victory, while Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals betting insights suggest the spread might be conservative. Early action on Over 53.5 reflects confidence in Cincinnati’s ability to score freely. Arizona’s inability to reach 20 points lately makes covering even a moderate spread feel like climbing Everest.
Our Prediction is Cincinnati Bengals 7
This matchup favors Cincinnati in virtually every meaningful category. Home field advantage, superior quarterback play, offensive rhythm, and recent covering form all align for the Bengals. Arizona’s seven game slide isn’t just about results; it’s about an offense that’s averaging under 20 points and showing no signs of resurgence without key personnel in the lineup.
The Cardinals’ struggles on Sundays aren’t coincidental. When a team loses 11 consecutive games on the same day of the week, you’re looking at systemic issues that go beyond matchups. Cincinnati, despite their own Sunday woes, has thrived in December as favorites. Joe Burrow’s four touchdown performance last week signals he’s hitting peak form at exactly the right time.
We believe the outcome of the match will be Cincinnati Bengals 7. The spread accounts for Arizona keeping it somewhat respectable early, but the Bengals’ firepower should pull away in the second half. Cincinnati has won eight straight home games in a specific situational spot, and nothing about Arizona’s current form suggests they can disrupt that pattern.
From a betting perspective, the Bengals’ December covering streak as favorites provides the clearest edge. Arizona’s form without Harrison Jr. has been dismal against the number, while Cincinnati’s home scoring environment creates additional value. This Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals encounter should unfold as expected, making the home side the logical choice in Cincinnati Bengals VS Arizona Cardinals betting picks.
