The Bengals will finish above .500 and in the playoff race this season if they go “over” the predicted win total, and it could very well happen. Cincinnati was one of the better teams in the AFC in 2015 and hopes to prove that last year was a blip. However, the Bengals have lost some key pieces on defense the last few years and need to show they are still on the same level as the NFL elite.
Cincinnati Bengals Opening Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Bengals Over 8.5 Wins Even
Bengals Under 8.5 Wins -130
2017 Cincinnati Bengals Offense Preview
The Bengals only averaged 20.3 points per game last season. Quarterback Andy Dalton played in every game, finishing with 4,206 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was hurt by a lack of availability from some of his best players.
Star wide receiver A.J. Green missed six games and finished with 66 catches for 964 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Eifert played in only eight games and also had numbers that weren’t as good as expected. If those two pass-catches can remain healthy, it really increases the potential of the offense.
Cincinnati also beefed up the unit in the draft, adding speedy wide receiver John Ross and tailback Joe Mixon. If they can contribute as rookies and the other veterans step up, this offense should be much better in 2017.
2017 Cincinnati Bengals Defense Preview
The defense has a lot of the same faces, and for good reason as it only allowed 19.7 points per game last year, which was eighth-best in the NFL. Geno Atkins is one of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL and he has the ability to reach double-digit sacks this season if things go well.
Vontaze Burfict leads the linebacker unit. Burfict is a bit of a loose cannon and has been fined and suspended multiple times for unsportsmanlike conduct, but there is no doubting his talent. The Bengals added Kevin Minter in free agency, and he is solid against the run but has issues in pass coverage.
Adam Jones and George Iloka are two of the top players on the back-end of the defense. There is plenty of talent here to have another solid defensive season.
2017 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule Analysis
Cincinnati will know a lot about itself coming out of the game. The Bengals open at home against the Ravens and Texans before hitting the road for a matchup with the Packers. Cincinnati has some winnable games later in the schedule, including contests against the Bears and the Browns.
There seem to be a lot of toss-up games for the Bengals this season. They did not do well in close outcomes a season ago and need to do better this time around.
The Final Verdict
The Bengals’ 2016 season should be thrown out. Dalton has proven to be an good-but-not-great quarterback and many of the team’s best players are in their prime. Cincinnati won’t be favored to win the division because the Steelers are going to be tough to beat, but it isn’t out of the question.
The Bengals should feel good about their chances of bouncing back and making a push for the playoffs. The projected win total is pretty high based on last year’s 6-9-1 record, but it makes sense because of the talent on the roster. Cincinnati should be much better in 2017.
NFL Odds: Cincinnati Bengals Over 8.5 Wins (Even)
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
