Tag: Bengals predictions

Bengals surge over Commanders in NFL Week 3 picks

Experts see the Bengals going over the Commanders in a big way on MNF.

The Cincinnati Bengals are big favorites to beat the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football”  in Week 3.

In fact, one has to look pretty hard to find a pick that says otherwise.

Over at USA Today, all six of the experts polled take the Bengals over the Commanders and only one of the score projections is within six points.

Similar story over at NFL.com, where all five of the experts polled take the Bengals — and the smallest margin of victory is by seven points.

Many picks follow the same theme. The Bengals are notorious slow-starters who kicked it into gear last week against Kansas City. Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is the best of the rookie passers right now, but it’s not saying all that much. Home-field advantage on primetime is a big deal, too. And there’s the return of Tee Higgins, which means Ja’Marr Chase should have an easier time shaking loose against one of the league’s most suspect secondaries.

None of that guarantees a Bengals win, of course. But it’s not hard to see why the experts don’t have them as the upset special of the week, either.

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Final score predictions for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 2

A final prediction for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 2.

Things are going to go one of two ways when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in one of the marquee Week 2 matchups.

One: Joe Burrow is back. Or two: Joe Burrow is not back.

Burrow admitted he struggled with sped-up timing in the season opener, the upset loss at the hands of New England. That much was apparent as he threw for just 164 yards and didn’t push the ball down the field.

We can debate about an overturned apparent touchdown catch by a tight end and a fumble while scoring a touchdown by another tight end, sure — but it’s really all about Burrow.

It’s no wonder Burrow struggled in his debut after coming back from yet another season-ending injury, especially when right tackle Trent Brown put in a bad showing, Tee Higgins was out and Ja’Marr Chase hadn’t repped all summer.

Still, even a struggling Burrow with missing weapons and such tends to beat teams like the Patriots that seem headed for a top-10 draft pick.

But they need him near-perfect to overcome Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Those Chiefs started the season with a win over Baltimore as Mahomes threw for 291 yards with one score and interception. First-round wideout Xavier Worthy caught a score and the running backs were as bruising as ever.

In past years, the second game of the season has very much looked like the second preseason game for the Bengals. Dobule-digit missed tackles for 80-plus yards didn’t help against the Patriots.

As things stand now, Cincinnati has to do some dramatic course-correcting on both sides of the ball just to be considered a team that might be able to knock off the Chiefs at Arrowhead. They need Burrow in midseason form, virtually zero offensive mistakes, proper angles and tackling and managing to limit a two-time MVP.

The good news? An 0-2 start wouldn’t doom the season given the remainder of the schedule. But while it feels like the Bengals will improve on many of the issues from the opener, it won’t be enough against a Super Bowl favorite already in stride.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bengals 21

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Can Bengals upset Chiefs in Week 2? One NFL analyst thinks so

There’s at least one notable NFL analyst picking the Bengals over the Chiefs.

The Cincinnati Bengals need to pull off a major road upset of the Kansas City Chiefs to avoid a 0-2 hole to start the season.

Given what happened in Week 1 as Joe Burrow and Co. flopped against the New England Patriots, it’s understandable if many don’t see the underdog making it happen.

But some do.

Over at CBS Sports, John Breech points to history as one of the main reasons he’s projecting a 27-24 Bengals win:

The only upside for the Bengals this week is that if there’s one team that brings out the best in them, it’s the Chiefs. Joe Burrow might play bad at the beginning of the season, but that’s canceled out by the fact that he’s always at his best against the Chiefs. Including the playoffs, Burrow has a 3-1 career record against the Chiefs and the Bengals were an underdog in all three of those wins, just like they’re going to be an underdog on Sunday.

There’s some validity to the Chiefs seemingly getting the Bengals’ best shot when they play. And indeed, maybe that Week 1 disaster for the Bengals wasn’t all that shocking given how the team has started each season under Zac Taylor so far.

Still, we’re talking about a colossal course correction for the Bengals to actually turn things around in the span of a week to the point of beating the Chiefs at home.

That’s not to say it’s impossible, but there’s a reason it’s a huge upset pick many aren’t bothering to make.

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Why one NFL expert booted Bengals from his 2024 Super Bowl pick

Fair or not to knock the Bengals out?

The Cincinnati Bengals have fared well for most of the offseason in season-long projections.

It’s not hard to see why either, considering the green light provided by Joe Burrow and the generally positive reception to the team’s offseason.

That said, not all last-second projections before Week 1 have kept those same vibes.

Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr, for example, recently changed his mind on fitting the Bengals into the Super Bowl picture:

I initially had the Lions and Bengals facing off, but backtracked just slightly. The Joe Burrow comeback narrative is just a little too tidy for me. The Bengals sustained some heavy losses in free agency, most notably new Lions treasure D.J. Reader, and Cincinnati is also breaking in a new offensive coordinator. Burrow is great, but is still knocking off a ton of rust and plays in the toughest division in football. I remember covering the NFL through the New England Patriots’ dynasty and believing that every year the AFC would produce some plucky and fun contender before New England simply sat on the competition and leaned its way into another title game. So, bleh. Boring to pick the Kansas City Chiefs. I get it.

That point about attempting to wish away a modern dynasty like the Patriots will resonate with plenty of fans.

More to the point on the Bengals, there are valid concerns about how the formation will change as Lou Anarumo looks to use multiple guys to replace the presence of DJ Reader.

And on the offensive side, beyond health questions (not even Burrow — look at the right tackle spot), it’s worth wondering how Dan Pitcher does on his own as a coordinator and if Zac Taylor will partake.

At the end of the day, the fact this analysis only knocks the Bengals out of a Super Bowl berth still speaks to how highly most seem to think of the team before Week 1.

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Bengals are huge favorites over Patriots in the minds of NFL experts

Here’s how experts view the Week 1 matchup between the Patriots and Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 1 as huge favorites, and most analysts don’t see a major reason to put the team on upset watch, either.

Usually, Week 1 throws out some wildly unexpected results, such as the Buffalo Bills getting dropped by the New York Jets in the opener last year.

But Cincinnati faces the rebuilding, Jerod Mayo-led New England Patriots on Sunday and would seem to have a huge upper hand after zero concerns about Joe Burrow’s health.

Case in point, the entire expert panel at USA Today picking the Bengals to win, with only one predicted final score within seven points.

It’s the same thing at NFL.com, with Tom Blair writing the following:

Why Tom picked the Bengals: Were Cincinnati facing almost any other opponent, I’d be thinking more about the impact of Ja’Marr Chase’s ongoing contract drama and stressing slightly about how Joe Burrow’s surgically repaired wrist will respond to serious game action. Week 1 shockers happen, of course, but even so, the Patriots present a fairly friendly-seeming assignment, with the Bengals’ overall talent advantage providing some insurance against a slow start. I don’t want to dismiss Jerod Mayo’s crew out of hand; it just feels like everything would have to go right for New England to have a real chance in this one. That’s a lot to ask for from a rebuilding team in its first game under a rookie head coach.

As of this writing, Ja’Marr Chase has been back practicing with the team for a key reason, yet he doesn’t have a new deal.

Even so, the Patriots do project to struggle enough in 2024 that the Bengals should have an advantage at home, with key names on the New England side already talking about playing the spoiler this year.

This is a key moment for the Bengals and the hope has to be that experts are correct, though, given the slow starts that have plagued the Burrow era to this point.

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Bengals win Super Bowl in one notable 2024 week-by-week projection

The Bengals hoist a Lombardi Trophy in new 2024 predictions.

The Cincinnati Bengals generally tally double-digit wins in 2024 season projections.

But those projections that actually loop in postseason predictions tend to lean toward other teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, as eventual champions.

One notable outlier? Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network projected the entire season and playoffs and came up with the Bengals winning 12 games — and hoisting a Lombardi Trophy:

It’s Joe Burrow’s time.

In early May, we looked at each team’s roster weaknesses after free agency and the draft. We struggled to find any Achilles heels on the Bengals, who addressed their needs on the offensive and defensive lines.

Cincinnati is just loaded. And with Burrow back under center and motivated after a lost season, the Bengals win three road playoff games and top the Lions in Super Bowl 59.

Those projections have the Bengals not winning the AFC North and settling for the fifth seed before besting the Jaguars, then upsetting the Chiefs and the Ravens before beating the Lions in the Super Bowl.

The usual disclaimers apply — much has to go right for this sort of projection to come true. But with most early predictions considering the Bengals contenders and picking up 10-plus wins, anything is possible once the playoffs start.

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Final score predictions for Browns vs. Bengals in Week 18

A final prediction for Browns vs. Bengals in Week 18.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been adamant all week that they will do whatever it takes to win the season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

Doing so would mean at least finishing this embattled season with a winning record at 9-8. It would also mean avoiding going 0-6 in the AFC North for the first time since the realignment in 2002.

Luckily for all involved, the task shouldn’t be too hard.

Given the surrounding circumstances, those Browns won’t be playing most of their starters, including elite pass-rusher Myles Garrett. The Browns can’t better their No. 5 playoff seed with a win, so it’s effectively a bye week for them.

The Bengals, though, have Ja’Marr Chase about to play through injury to tough it out for the team. For what it’s worth, he says the shoulder injury won’t require surgery. Defensive end Sam Hubbard also says he’ll play through injury.

The Cincinnati defense shouldn’t have many issues containing Browns backup and former Bengals backup Jeff Driskel. For Cincinnati, Jake Browning should be able to keep the offense humming with Chase.

In a game without a lot of meaning when it comes to wins and losses, of major note is Trey Hendrickson sitting on 17 sacks. He’s two behind Steelers star T.J. Watt, so if he can register at least 2.5 on Sunday, he’ll become the first Bengals player to ever lead the league in sacks.

Also of interest, of course, is Bengals who could be playing their final game with the team, highlighted by wideout Tyler Boyd. It’s almost safe to presume coaches and players attempt to highlight those guys in what should be a winning effort before a critical offseason.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Browns 10

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Final score predictions for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 17

A final prediction for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 17.

The Cincinnati Bengals are surely giving fans a sense of deja vu heading into a critical Week 17 matchup.

Back in Week 12, they took a major loss to Pittsburgh and then rattled off three straight wins under the direction of backup quarterback Jake Browning, shockingly keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Then last week, a 34-11 blowout loss to those very same Steelers.

Now the Bengals have to hope another post-Steelers rebound is on the docket, although this time the opponent isn’t an AFC South squad — it’s the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

Sure, those Chiefs have struggled to just a 9-6 record this season and have lost three of their last four. But Patrick Mahomes (26 touchdowns, 14 interceptions) is still the quarterback, Travis Kelce is still around to exploit one of Cincinnati’s long-running defensive issues and the Chiefs defense is quietly elite, allowing just 17.7 points per game on average, the second-best mark in the league.

Perhaps the struggles for Mahomes and Co. would be more comforting had the Bengals not flopped last week in Pittsburgh, with the defense again allowing the season-long explosive plays that have ruined the season.

Not just any explosive plays, either, but massive chunks of yardage to third-stringer Mason Rudolph, allowing George Pickens to tally 195 yards and two touchdowns on just four catches.

Onlookers should reasonably expect the Cincinnati offense to look a little better on Sunday with Ja’Marr Chase back in the fold. But it’s that defense that is problematic on a big scale.

Unfortunately for Cincinnati, there isn’t really any help on the way for the defense. Opposing offenses know to exploit a unit now missing DJ Reader, one of the best outright nose tackles in football, who won’t be there to command double teams. That places more on the linebackers in all facets, which has a ripple effect on the entire unit.

The Bengals will probably be more competitive in this one simply because it isn’t a divisional opponent, which has been one of the more interesting struggles of the season they will need to address this offseason. But overcoming Mahomes and Co., struggles or not, is tough even with Joe Burrow under center and the loss of Reader will be a major deciding factor.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Bengals 20

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Final score predictions for Colts vs. Bengals in Week 14

A final prediction for Colts vs. Bengals in Week 14.

The Cincinnati Bengals could clutch a playoff seed or potentially be effectively all of the way out of the running by the time the Week 14 slate concludes, depending on the outcome of their AFC encounter with the Indianapolis Colts.

Cincinnati’s shocking performance last Monday on primetime to save the season has put them in this spot. Backup Jake Browning went 32-of-37 with 354 yards and two total touchdowns in an upset of Jacksonville, earning weekly AFC honors in the process.

Sunday’s game against the Colts might come down to how much his performance regresses.

Because a regression is a certainty. No team the rest of the way is going to get caught off guard by the backup and now what the offense wants to do with him under center is all over the film.

Still, even a regression might be just enough to slip past the Colts.

The Colts are 7-5 and winners of four in a row, though every team they’ve defeated during that stretch has been at least two games under .500, including three-win New England and one-win Carolina.

Offensively, the Colts have struggled without breakout rookie passer Anthony Richardson, with Gardner Minshew boasting just 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions over 12 games. The unit also won’t have star running back Jonathan Taylor on Sunday.

And defensively, the Colts rank in the bottom five with 24.7 points allowed per game on average and in the bottom seven with 133.3 rushing yards allowed per game. Notably, the unit does get after quarterbacks often, with the 42 sacks ranked among the league leaders.

Even then, the Colts ruled out two defensive starters on Saturday, forcing them to rely on a rookie and undrafted corner to cover the duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

That’s where this prediction needs to focus the most, really. Starting duos have problems with Chase and Higgins, so everyone taking the field on Sunday will know what the Bengals intend to do.

Yet with the way the offense for Browning is designed, he should have high-percentage throws often enough that create big YAC opportunities for his weapons.

Barring boneheaded turnovers as the regression kicks in, the Bengals should be able to put together plenty of scoring drives to win this one. It could be more proof yet again that a further commitment to the run, play-action and bootlegs is just what even Joe Burrow’s offense needs next year.

Unlike last Monday’s game, the Bengals have the better roster at almost every spot and if Browning can come close to what he did last time out, one could make the same argument at quarterback, too.

Provided the defense doesn’t turn in a stunningly bad performance against a backup (they mostly kept Travis Etienne Jr. in check last week), the dramatically new-looking offense should be able to outpace Minshew.

Prediction: Bengals 28, Colts 21

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Final score predictions for Bengals vs. Jaguars on MNF in Week 13

A final prediction for Bengals vs. Jaguars in Week 13.

The Cincinnati Bengals have to hope the second week of the Jake Browning era goes better than the first if they want to avoid losing a fourth straight game.

Not that the backup quarterback is the only one to blame for the 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh one week ago, but going 19-of-26 with 227 yards, one touchdown and interception with four sacks didn’t help.

The Bengals will get star wideout Tee Higgins back for Monday night’s primetime game. But that won’t help a running game that has appeared broken since the summer and currently averages 3.8 yards per carry.

That’s especially notable because the hosting Jaguars have a defense that ranks third overall against the run at 87.4 yards allowed per game on average. It’s a unit that allows just 20.5 points per game, too,

For comparison’s sake, an underwhelming Bengals defense ranks second last in rush defense at 139.6 yards per game surrendered. The unit’s struggles in coverage aren’t shocking given the youth movement, but the rush defense suddenly being a sour point has cost the team games.

None of this has even mentioned Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has completed 67.3 percent of his passes this year with 12 scores and seven picks and running back Travis Etienne Jr., who has 726 yards and seven scores on the ground and 36 more catches through the air.

Even with the Jaguars missing some key linemen that could help pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson and breaking-out rookie Myles Murphy hit home on Lawrence, the Jaguars were favored by more than a touchdown in this one for a reason.

While this has never felt like a team that will simply throw the proverbial towel if someone as important as Joe Burrow goes down, the difference in losing a top-five passer can’t be understated.

If the Bengals put up a fight on primetime, get some core pieces of the future must-have developmental snaps and even earn the silver lining of better draft positioning, that’s not necessarily a bad thing given the circumstances.

Prediction: Jaguars 27, Bengals 14

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