Cincinnati Bengals NFL Betting Odds

2010 Season

Just two seasons ago the Cincinnati Bengals finished top of the AFC North division on 10-6, making it to the playoffs where they lost early on to the NY Jets. But then last season the wheels fell off, and the Bengals finished dead last in the AFC North on 4-12, prompting the team to be renamed in many circles as the 'Cincinnati Bungals.'

2011 Off Season

The Cincinnati Bengals are a classic example of an NFL franchise that went from 'winners to sinners' in the space of a single season. They started off well enough, winning two of their first three games, before going on to lose 10 consecutive games. And while they salvaged some pride by winning two of their last three games, coming into the off season it was clear they were in dire need of a complete overhaul. As such, head coach Marvin Lewis bid farewell to CB Johnathan Joseph, LB Dhani Jones and WRs Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, and welcomed LB Manny Lawson and CB Nate Clements, and resigned RB Cedric Benson. Using the 2011 NFL Draft, he secured the services of QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green.

2011 Preview

Why the Cincinnati Bengals dropped so much form in just one season is something of a mystery, although the root of the problem lay mainly with the team's offense. Consider how the team ranked 20th in the NFL last season with just 331 YPG, or a lowly 27th in rushing with just 95 YPG. But if there was a silver lining to the Bengals' offense, however, it's that they ranked 10th in time-of-possession at 31:13 and went 7-9 ATS, which is better than their record would suggest. Going forward, Cincinnati will have to make do without QB Carson Palmer, who seems to have quit the team. Which begs the question of whether rookie Dalton has what it takes to start? The Bengals are also in a state of flux defensively with the departure of CB Johnathan Joseph and LB Dhani Jones, and the sidelining of LB Keith Rivers to injury. The Bengals risk being sucked even further into the black hole this season, before they start to rebuild and climb back up the NFL ranks.

2011 Prediction

Despite the mountains of hours coach Lewis and his colleagues must have spent trying to 'fix' the Cincinnati Bengals during the off season, the team doesn't appear to be even remotely repaired. Consider how they were thrashed 34-3 in their first preseason game against the  Lions and by 27-7 in their second preseason against the Jets. So do not be surprised if the Cincinnati Bengals manage to finish the season on 0-16.

**Our Pick

Considering the Cincinnati Bengals haven't won a playoff game since 1990, and are highly unlikely to make it even close to reaching the playoffs this season, even tempting longshot bets offered by NFL oddsmakers  should be avoided at all costs. If the Bengals have any hope of improving on last year's record, it may well rest with the return - as unlikely as that is - of QB Carson Palmer.

2011/12 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule