Bengals vs. Falcons Total Prediction
The Atlanta Falcons are the current owners of the most banged-up defense in the National Football League. Will that benefit over bettors on Sunday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals at 1:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
255 Cincinnati Bengals at 256 Atlanta Falcons
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 30
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Falcons are 4-point favorites to beat the Bengals. The total, meanwhile, sits at 52 points. As of this writing, 51% of the public betting tickets are on the Falcons to cover the point spread.
Cincinnati Bengals
Giovani Bernard (thigh) remained limited at Thursday’s practice. There’s no concern over Bernard’s status for Sunday’s game in Atlanta. With Joe Mixon (knee) out another week, Bernard is in play as an RB1 for a gorgeous matchup. The Falcons have been extremely generous to pass-catching running backs, allowing a combined 29 catches to Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara the past two weeks.
Atlanta Falcons
Devonta Freeman (knee) was officially “limited” in Thursday’s practice. Freeman seemed to do little more than stretch, but the Falcons felt comfortable giving him a “limited” tag. It gives him at least a shot of returning against the Bengals. Perhaps the Falcons feel a sense of urgency after Tevin Coleman was a dud in last week’s matchup with the Saints.
NFL Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The over is 4-0 in the Bengals’ last four games overall.
Atlanta
The under is 8-2 in the Falcons’ last 10 games dating back to last season.
Prediction
The Falcons are now without defensive stalwarts, Deion Jones, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. That’s their All-Pro, do-it-all linebacker and both of their safeties. They were also without Takk McKinley and Derrick Shelby a week ago in their loss to the Saints, which wound up wearing down their defensive line because their rotation was compromised. The Bengals have an underrated offense with plenty of skill now that A.J. Green is expected to play after missing the second half last week in Carolina. And after a rough Week 1 performance versus the Eagles in Philly, the Falcons have revved up their offense the past two weeks. With so much offensive skill on both sides, plus the injury concerns defensively for Atlanta, the over is the only play here.
NFL Week 4 Prediction: Bengals/Falcons over 52