NFL Week 1 Picks: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets 9/11/16

Bengals vs. Jets Pick

Bettors shouldn't shy away from the home underdog Jets this afternoon when they host the Bengals at 1:00PM ET.

According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Jets are 1-point home underdogs versus the Bengals after this game opened as a pick'em originally. As for the total, the number opened at 42.5 points but has been bet down a full point to 41.5.

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Gone are offensive coordinator Hue Jackson (Cleveland) and receivers Marvin Jones (Lions) and Mohamed Sanu (Falcons), but the Bengals return signal-caller Andy Dalton, running backs Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard, as well as No. 1 wideout A.J. Green. Geno Atkins also returns to a defense that will once again be underrated under head coach Marvin Lewis, who hopes to receive yet another crack at winning his first playoff game in Cincinnati despite a slew of opportunities.

As for the Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick is back under center after he and the team went back-and-forth on a new contract for most of the offseason. His signing is good news for receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who were both productive last season for the surprising Jets. The team also signed running back Matt Forte this offseason, so Fitzpatrick should have plenty of weapons around him.

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OUR PICK: The above paragraph on the Jets focused on the offense but it's Todd Bowles defense that will be the strength of this team. The Jets are loaded defensively, with Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson, David Harris and Leonard Williams returning to a squad that was among the top 5 defenses in the league last season. With Ken Zampese taking over for the departed Jackson, the Bengals might need a few weeks before they're firing on all cylinders offensively. The Jets are a solid play this afternoon.

 

NFL WEEK 1 PICK: NEW YORK JETS +1