NFLGame PreviewsARI VS CIN Preview Week17 28-DEC-2025

Game Preview of Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals. Week 17 of 2025 NFL Season

ARI logo

ARI

3-12-0
@
28DEC25
01:00pm
CIN logo

CIN

5-10-0
Paycor Stadium

Game Preview

The Arizona Cardinals visit the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, with both teams officially eliminated from playoff contention. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium. While the standings don’t matter anymore, pride and personal stakes are on the line.

Quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jacoby Brissett headline this matchup of 4, 11 teams. Burrow is coming off a strong game and now faces a Cardinals defense riddled with injuries, especially in the secondary. Brissett, meanwhile, is auditioning for next season and could take advantage of a Bengals defense that struggles to get stops.

The Bengals are 2, 5 at home this year, the same record Arizona holds on the road. Both teams have been inconsistent, but Cincinnati enters as a 7-point favorite in a game that could turn into a shootout.

The total is listed at 52.5 points, one of the higher marks on the Week 17 slate. With both defenses banged up and offensive urgency high, points may come often.

Current Season Form

ARI logo

ARI

Away
Record:3-12-0
ATS:6-9-0
O/U:9-6-0
CIN logo

CIN

Home
Record:5-10-0
ATS:7-8-0
O/U:9-6-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
3-2Winner logo
ATS:2-3-0
O/U:4-1-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-12-21@ MIAW 45-21W +-3.5o48.5
2025-12-14vs BALL 0-24L -2.5u51.5
2025-12-07@ BUFL 34-39L 6.0o54.5
2025-11-27@ BALW 32-14W +7.0u52.5
2025-11-23vs NEL 20-26L -7.5u50.5
2025-11-16@ PITL 12-34L 5.5u48.5
2025-11-02vs CHIL 42-47L -3.0o51.5
2025-10-26vs NYJL 38-39W +5.5o43.5
2025-10-16vs PITW 33-31L -5.5o45.5
2025-10-12@ GBL 18-27L 14.0o44.5

Key Insights

  • Cincinnati ranks No. 1 in big play touchdown rate (36.2%), while Arizona sits in the bottom 3% in preventing those plays.
  • The Bengals convert on third-and-long 30.9% of the time (91st percentile), a tough matchup for a Cardinals defense that struggles in short-yardage stops.
  • Arizona runs no-huddle at an 81st percentile rate, which could wear down a Bengals defense ranked 3rd percentile in third-down stop rate.
  • Arizona allows explosive runs at a bottom-6% rate, which may open up rushing lanes for Cincinnati’s backfield.
  • Cincinnati operates out of shotgun nearly 66% of the time (97th percentile), giving Burrow more pre-snap reads against a depleted Cardinals secondary.
  • The Cardinals are efficient on long drives (84.8%) and may benefit if Bengals pass rushers B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai miss the game.

Betting Insights

  • The Bengals are -7.0 favorites (-114), reflecting Arizona’s injury concerns and Cincinnati’s offensive edge.
  • The total is 52.5 points, with the Over priced at -122, books expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
  • Joe Burrow Over 270.5 passing yards is -120, with Arizona likely missing three starting cornerbacks.
  • Trey McBride Over 71.5 receiving yards is -118; he’s a top target and faces a Bengals defense lacking tight end coverage strength.
  • Chase Brown Anytime TD is -175, he’s the short-yardage option in a game with a high total.

Final Summary

This game may not matter in the playoff race, but it holds value for bettors and players alike. Joe Burrow appears set up for a strong home finish against a Cardinals defense missing key pieces. With Arizona possibly without top corners and safeties, Cincinnati’s passing game has a clear edge.

On the flip side, Jacoby Brissett could find success too. The Bengals don’t get many stops on third down and could struggle if Brissett leans on McBride and quick throws. If the Bengals’ defensive line is shorthanded, that only helps Arizona’s efficiency.

With both teams playing loose and fast, the Over 52.5 (-122) is worth a look, despite the juice. And if Marvin Harrison Jr. is out or limited, Michael Wilson props become more attractive.

Cincinnati’s offensive firepower gives them the edge. But in a meaningless game with shaky defenses, don’t rule out fireworks from both sides.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: CIN Offense vs ARI Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points248#19283#9ARI advantage
Total Points Per Game22.5#1925.7#24CIN advantage
Total Touchdowns27#2131#24CIN advantage
Passing Touchdowns21#616#14CIN advantage
Rushing Touchdowns5#2711#20ARI advantage
Other Touchdowns1#164#31CIN advantage
Total Kicking Points76#2197#2ARI advantage
Total Two Point Conversions2#60#22CIN advantage
Kick Extra Points25#1425#16CIN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards2444#152451#15🏈
Net Passing Yards Per Game222#15223#13ARI advantage
Passer Rating85.2#2589.1#21ARI advantage
Passing Attempts411#3373#19CIN advantage
Completions256#5240#15CIN advantage
Completion Percentage62.3#2364.3#13ARI advantage
Passing 1st downs125#12137#26CIN advantage
Passing 1st Down %59.2#858.1#24CIN advantage
Longest Pass64#1467#10ARI advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost4#45#5CIN advantage
Receiving Targets390#4354#15CIN advantage
Receptions256#5240#18CIN advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch1178#181057#7ARI advantage
YAC Average4.6#284.4#4ARI advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards934#301256#17ARI advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game84.9#30114#16ARI advantage
Rushing Attempts214#32290#13ARI advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt4.4#164.3#14ARI advantage
Rushing 1st downs60#2976#15ARI advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays7#158#9ARI advantage
Long Rushing37#2445#21ARI advantage
Rushing Fumbles7#158#9ARI advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost1#221#22🏈