Cincinnati’s online betting odds for the upcoming season should have a lot of players intrigued, with an offense loaded with explosive players, and a very underrated defense which may be better in 2010. The Bengals have been up and down during the preseason, but they’ll flex their muscles in Buffalo this weekend.
What: NFL betting
When: Saturday, August 28th, 6:30 PM ET
Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, New York
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -2.5
What’s On The Line
The Bengals had a disjointed performance in a 22-9 win over Philadelphia at home, as they were inconsistent on both sides of the ball. The Bills put in a great performance in a 34-21 win over Indianapolis in Toronto, and if they can play half that well this season, they’ll at least be a competitive team, which is all they can ask for in the tough AFC East.
Offensive Matchups: Bengals Bills Betting
The Bengals controlled the clock and gained 345 yards of offense, and Carson Palmer was 15-of-23 for 169 yards, but he also threw two of the Bengals’ three picks on the day. Palmer, his younger brother Jordan, and J.T. O’Sullivan all did a good job of spreading the ball around to Cincinnati’s arsenal of weapons, but they have to be more careful with the ball, especially Palmer, who can have a massive year in 2010.
Trent Edwards was 5-of-8 for 93 yards and a score in his limited action, while Brian Brohm was 14-of-21 for 125 yards and did a good job of moving the ball down the field. C.J. Spiller gave Buffalo fans a glimpse of what may be their lone bright spot of the season with 10 carries for 54 yards, including a 31-yard jaunt that saw him break three tackles along the way. Spiller is easily the best weapon Buffalo has, but can the team around him improve?
Free sports picks: Bengals
Defensive Matchups: Bengals Bills Betting
Cincinnati aided their turnover-prone offense by forcing five of their own, including four picks. Linebacker Brandon Jones had six tackles and a sack to lead the way, while rookie end Carlos Dunlap added four tackles and a sack for the Bengals. Dunlap is being counted on to boost the Cincinnati pass rush, which was the weakest spot of the defense last season, and even though he had some discipline problems at Florida, Dunlap is a monster coming off the end.
The Bills forced four turnovers from Indy, and Terrance McGee ran back a Peyton Manning interception 78 yards to the house. Arthur Moats had six tackles, and the rookie has done a solid job of adjusting to the league after playing end in college, and then switching to inside linebacker. But it wasn’t all good for the Bills, who allowed the Colts to score on both of their red-zone chances, and Indy averaged 4.7 yards on the ground.
Free pick: Bengals
Notable Injuries: Bengals Bills Betting
Fullback Fui Vakapuna (shoulder) is a question mark for this game, as are offensive linemen Anthony Collins (foot) and Andrew Mitchell (knee).
Safety Jairus Byrd (groin) dealt with this injury last year, and it doesn’t look good for the Bills’ interception leader, who could miss the start of the regular season. Running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) may be able to see some time, though.
Free pick: Bengals
Outlook and Pick: Bengals Bills Betting
The Bengals are 2.5-point favorites on the road according to NFL betting odds, and they should be able to earn a comfortable win. The Cincinnati first-team offense has too many weapons for the Bills, and without Byrd at the back end, they could go off in the first half. Spiller is going up against a tough Cincinnati defense, and he doesn’t have any help, which sports betting players will see as a theme in Buffalo this season.
Stan’s Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -2.5