Considering the sports betting performance they put on against the Cleveland Browns in a 6-3 loss last weekend, it is hard to imagine how the Seattle Seahawks have already earned two wins this season. On the heels of a 36-25 win at the New York Giants and an extra week off to prepare for the Browns, the Seahawks came out absolutely flat and managed just 137 total yards, including 73 through the air with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst under center. Things won’t get any easier for last year’s NFC West champions this week at home, and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back as they host the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks
Sunday October 30, 2011 – 4:15 PM ET
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
NFL Betting Lines: Cincinnati Bengals – 3
The Bengals finished off the first six games of their schedule on fire with three straight wins before their bye week, and now have the chance to keep that momentum going on the road against a Seattle team that looked awful last Sunday. The key to Cincinnati’s success has been the defense’s return to the top-10, and they will need those units to come up big once again this week.
Bengals Seahawks Betting Preview: Cincinnati Bengals
This team has understood very well this season that a strong defense combined with an offense that is able to move the ball without turning it over is the perfect pairing for success. The Cincinnati defense ranks fifth in the league against both the run and the pass, and that balance makes it hard for opponents to move the ball with no real weaknesses to exploit. While the defense does its job, quarterback Andy Dalton and the offense continue to progress with an emphasis on protecting the football. Running back Cedric Benson has looked good in limited action due to suspension, and this could be the game where he breaks out.
Bengals Seahawks Betting Preview: Seattle Seahawks
An absolutely anemic offense has led to an awful start in head coach Pete Carroll’s second season with the headset on, which has in large part had to do with some of the personnel decisions that he has made. With quarterback Tarvaris Jackson out and Whitehurst in, the Seahawks struggled to sustain drives and put together many decent plays, and that has to be a concern considering the presence of weapons such as wide receiver Sidney Rice. Running back Marshawn Lynch hasn’t been awful, but defenses are keying in on the rushing attack with Seattle unable to move the ball through the air.
Bengals Seahawks Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
The Seahawks could realistically still win the division, but given the way that they played last week they don’t have a shot. The Bengals on the other hand are a focused group that is coming off the bye and had extra time to prepare for this meeting, and considering what the division rival Browns were able to do to Seattle a week ago, Cincinnati should have no problem covering the bet football online number.
Bengals Seahawks Betting Pick: Cincinnati Bengals