Bengals vs. Jets Prediction
Will Sunday's game between the Bengals and Jets be a defensive struggle at 1:00PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Jets are 2.5-point home underdogs versus the Bengals while the over/under currently sits at 41.5 points. This game did open as a pick'em before the line was bet in favor of Cincinnati, while the total opened at 42.5 before dropping a full point.
The Bengals lost Mohamed Sanu (Falcons) and Marvin Jones (Lions) in free agency but Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard are all back on offense, as well as Geno Atkins on defense. Even though the Bengals haven't lost more than six games in each of the past four years, it would seem that they're flying under the radar again in the AFC, with most eyes focused on the Patriots, Broncos, Steelers and even the Raiders and Jaguars.
After a lengthy standoff, the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick were able to agree on a new deal this offseason. Fitzpatrick will have a new backfield mate in Matt Forte, while Brandon Marshall, Eric Decer and Kellen Davis all return to an offense that was better than expected a year ago. Under head coach Todd Bowles, the Jet defense will be solid again this season.
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OUR PREDICTION: This should be a defensive slugfest. Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, David Harris and Darrelle Revis all return to a stout New York defense, while Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Domata Peko are all back for Cincinnati. The under is 4-0 in the Bengals' last four games, is 7-1 in their last eight conference games, and is 4-1 in their last five road games. The under has also cashed in four of the Jets' last five games overall.
NFL WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS: BENGALS/JETS UNDER 42.5