Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and predictions

The Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals kick off their 2023 preseason schedules Friday. Kickoff from Paycor Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Packers vs. Bengals odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

Green Bay had a busy offseason as they let go of future Hall-of-Fame QB Aaron Rodgers to allow QB Jordan Love an opportunity to start. After missing the playoffs last year, the Packers are heading in a new direction in the hopes that Love will be able to keep the team afloat as contenders in the NFC North.

After having a mediocre defense last year the Packers are looking to be more aggressive on that side of the ball this year, according to a report written by ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, and this will be the first display of that shift in the defensive identity for Green Bay.

After last year’s AFC Championship game loss to Kansas City the Bengals are coming into this season looking to find their way back into the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Cincinnati fans, star QB Joe Burrow is out with a calf injury heading into the preseason. HC Zac Taylor is planning to play both veteran QB Trevor Siemian and 27-year-old journeyman QB Jake Browning.

The Bengals had a very solid offseason despite Burrow’s injury. Cincinnati was able to re-sign some key defensive players to contract extensions and made some good signings through free agency. Their biggest free-agent signing was OT Orlando Brown Jr., from the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Packers at Bengals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:30 a.m. ET

Moneyline (ML): Packers -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Bengals +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread (ATS): Packers -4.5 (-110) | Bengals +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 35.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Packers at Bengals picks and predictions

Prediction

Packers 24, Bengals 21

Moneyline

PASS.

I like the Packers for this play, but at -200, the line is simply not worth the juice. Bet on the spread and/or the O/U instead.

Against the spread

BET BENGALS +4.5 (-110).

While I do believe the Packers and Love will come away with the win, I expect Cincinnati to put up a fight. Bengals fans have a lot to look forward to with this game as both Cincinnati’s new free-agent class and draft class will be looking to impress. Look for this game to come down to a field goal finish.

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Over/Under

LEAN OVER 35.5 (-105).

Both teams have a lot of offensive weapons, but neither team has the stability under center they are used to. So I don’t see this being a very high-scoring affair, but it should still eclipse 36 total points. Both defenses should be very solid this year, but with this being preseason Week 1, I do expect to see some chemistry issues and sloppy football that will lead to this game hitting on the Over.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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