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Bills vs. Bengals: Why you need to ladder this James Cook prop on NFL Sunday
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer
Reviewed by Nick Slade
Our predictive NFL model has identified a player prop bet in Bills vs. Bengals with good value and "ladder play" potential thanks to our data-backed simulations.
NFL Sundays in December hit different. Playoff races tighten, tensions rise, and every snap suddenly matters. But for sharp-eyed bettors, the best action on the Week 14 NFL schedule isn’t just the superstar clash between the Bills vs. Bengals at 1 PM ET, it's a specific NFL player prop with a ladder opportunity.
The most important part of winning consistently in the NFL isn’t predicting the outcome of every drive. It’s recognizing when a sportsbook has the numbers wrong and we have the data to back it up.
That's why we're looking at one bet in particular when the Bills host the Bengals in Highmark Stadium and turning our attention to some plus-money lines on top of our main wager.
How we found this high-value Bills vs. Bengals prop
This bet perfectly illustrates why every serious bettor needs Dimers Pro as our first insight into this bet came straight from our NFL Player Projections Hub, a Dimers Pro exclusive.
Our NFL projections are the result of tens of thousands of simulations on every NFL game, surfacing +EV opportunities that even experienced bettors would never notice.
These value pockets show up every single week and without the right tools like Dimers Pro at your side, it can be easy to overlook these betting opportunities
So while everyone else is sweating Josh Allen vs. Joe Burrow, Dimers Pro subscribers will be looking at a sharper angle as we break down below.
Our Bills vs. Bengals player prop and ladder target
The Bet: James Cook (Bills) over 13.5 Receiving Yards
RB James Cook profiles as an ideal ladder target in Bills vs. Bengals, and the matchup data alongside Dimers' projection makes it almost impossible to ignore.
Cook's receiving yards line is set at 13.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook, while he draws a projection of 17.0 by the Dimers model, making both his over of 13.5 and 15+ at +100 appealing bets, even if you don't climb the ladder with us.
Why Ladder this prop:
Cincinnati allows the second-most receiving yards to running backs this season on 6.2 targets per game, which perfectly aligns with how Cook is being used lately.
After a quiet stretch from Weeks 5–9, where he had one or fewer targets, Cook has bounced back with 3+ targets in four straight games and has caught the last 15 passes thrown his way. He’s functioning as a true safety valve for Allen, and that role has been crucial with Buffalo’s pass-catching options thin in an uninspiring group.
If TE Dalton Kincaid (questionable) and WR Josh Palmer (doubtful) both sit, Cook would be the Bills' third-highest receiver this season on the field.
We’ve already seen Cook pop in the exact matchups he’s supposed to, posting 58 receiving yards vs. Baltimore (7th-most RB receiving yards allowed) and 66 receiving yards vs. Tampa Bay (most allowed). When the defense struggles to cover backs, Cook exploits it, and the Bengals belong firmly in that category.
When analyzing individual RB performances this season, the numbers only reinforce the upside, with standout performances like Derrick Henry (44), Jaylen Warren (31), Josh Jacobs (57), Jahmyr Gibbs (33), Dylan Sampson (64), and Kenneth Gainwell (81).
All these datapoints, beginning with the Dimers projection, signal James Cook hitting his over with plenty of room to climb.
Here's an example of how to tackle the James Cook ladder in Week 14. These dollar amounts are for reference only as an example of how to stagger a wager across the full ladder - please remember to gamble responsibly and bet only what suits your strategy.
| James Cook Receiving Yards | Odds | Stake | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15+ | +100 | $25 | $49.75 |
| 25+ | +211 | $15 | $46.65 |
| 40+ | +514 | $10 | $61.40 |
| 50+ | +860 | $5 | $48.00 |
| 60+ | +1460 | $3 | $46.50 |
Dimers' NFL Betting Resources for the 2025-26 Season
- NFL Week 14 Predictions: Our data-backed previews for every Week 14 matchup
- NFL Best Bets: Our Top Picks for every game, every week
- NFL Projections: BRAND NEW Player Projections Hub
- The Dimers Sports Betting Podcast: Watch the latest episode
- Super Bowl Odds: Who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy?
- Best NFL Props: Player edges and projections from our predictive analytics model
- NFL Betting News: The latest promos, storylines and more around the league
Responsible Gambling
Remember to please gamble responsibly. If you sense that you're taking your luck too far, know when to call it quits and don't be afraid to seek assistance. Keep in mind that gambling is all about having a fantastic experience! If you or someone you know is grappling with gambling issues, reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER for crisis counseling and support.
To give you the most accurate and helpful information, this article has been reviewed and edited by Nick Slade through our fact-checking process.
Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
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