CINCINNATI BENGALS
Back to the Bungles?: Last season, Cincinnati definitely didn’t impress as they took a step back toward the laughing stock of the NFL that they used to be. The Bengals finished 8-8 overall, but had player arrests, late season blunders, and inconsistent play that squandered the opportunity of a talented team on the rise. 4-4 on the road, 4-4 at home; it doesn’t get more average than that. Will we see the 2005 Bengals that dominated on the road, and finished atop the AFC North? Or will the Bengals take a step back toward the Bungles of yester-year?
Over or Under: It’s a common misconception that the high-scoring Bengals offense is a good over bet. In fact, it looks like oddsmakers have a pretty good handle on the Bengals O/U output. Over the last 4 seasons, Cincinnati is 33-34 O/U. Over the last two years, in which Carson Palmer has been tossing touchdowns as often as the paperboy throws the Times, the Bengals are still only 14-18 O/U. Over the last 3 seasons they hit the over more on the road (14-10) than they do at home (10-14). For gamblers riding the over for this high scoring offensive juggernaut, winnings have been sporadic.
Against the Spread: 8-7-1 ATS last season, 7-8-1 ATS in 2005, and 7-9 ATS the season before that, Cincinnati hasn’t been a safe bet against the spread since I can remember. Actually I can remember, but it was Jon Kitna under center, and the often terrible Bengals finished 8-8 for the first time in years. Since Carson Palmer took over at quarterback and became an All-Pro, the Bengals have been 2 games under .500 ATS. But, its good to keep in mind the differences at home and on the road for these Bengals. At home, over the last 3 seasons, Cincinnati is a miserable 8-15-ATS while on the road the Bengals have bolted to a 15-8-1 ATS record.
Straight Up: While Cincinnati did win 11 games in 2005, they are only 27-22 over the last 3 seasons. They aren’t much better at home (14-13) than they are on the road (13-11), but they have been consistently around .500 since Palmer took over the starting duties in 2004. Since going 2-14 in 2002, and picking Carson Palmer with the first pick overall, the Bengals have been a consistent SU player, going 8-8 thrice and 11-5 once (in 2005).
ATS Road Rally: Over the last 4 seasons the Bengals are 66% on the road ATS. While they’re only 16-16 SU over that span, they have shown a knack for playing tight games away from Cincinnati. Since Carson took over, Cinci is 15-8-1 ATS away from home. Compared to any team in the league, that’s good, but especially when you put that record next to their 8-15-1 ATS home mark over that time period. These Bengals can rally on the road.
