Join fans and your fellow bettors on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. ET when this Preseason Week 1 game from Paul Brown Stadium comes on the air.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Minnesota Vikings +3
Cincinnati Bengals -3
Over/Under 35
ODDS ANALYSIS
A fairly standard betting line by today's NFL preseason standards. Neither one of these teams has a definitive edge over the other when it gets down to it with reserves, and that's why the home standing Bengals are set at -3 at home in this one alongside a really vanilla total of 35.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
It will be interesting to see how Mike Zimmer elects to deploy Teddy Bridgewater in this first game of the preseason. Last year, Bridgewater actually ran two drives in each of the first two preseason games before coming out, and that's why bettors are generally trending towards betting on Minnesota. If that news comes out again before this game, we could see the Vikings flip to being favored.
The rest of the quarterback rotation isn't much to write home about. Veteran Shaun Hill clearly doesn't need much time to prepare to be Bridgewater's backup. Last year, Taylor Heinicke played well as a third-stringer, completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 516 yards with two TDs and a pick. If he does that again, the Vikes are going to win a lot of games in the preseason.
Also interesting is Marvin Lewis' decision. Andy Dalton won't be around long for sure if he plays, and the man who is his backup, A.J. McCarron might be the most prized possession on the roster after he looked so awesome for much of the end of last year when Dalton was banged up. Keith Wenning and Joe Licata are going to mop this game up, and that doesn't give a lot of confidence to bettors for sure.
COACHING HISTORY
Zimmer has only been a head coach for two years, but his two seasons have been incredibly profitable for bettors. The Vikes are now 7-2 ATS in his nine exhibitions.
Marvin Lewis has a lot deeper history in his run with the Bengals and is now at a total of 52 games, posting a winning 28-23-1 ATS mark. Notable about Lewis? His Bengals have scored at least 23 points in three straight opening preseason games, proof that he's willing to open it up early on in camp to see what his offense has to offer.
QUICK PICK
McCarron is going to be the wild card here. Keep an eye in the newspapers to see if he expects to get some additional time under center. If he plays half this game, this could end up being a legitimate looking NFL final score instead of a drab preseason affair without much scoring.
Another factor to consider: Cincinnati has 10 rookies it is breaking in on this defense, including four in the secondary, one of which in William Jackson III is going to be expected to step right in and start as a nickel corner. That means these men need some serious reps and could be taken advantage of in their very first professional game. Minnesota has 10 rookies on defense as well, including another corner in Mackensie Alexander who is also expected to step right in and start.
All of this is pointing to a game played in the 40s, not the 20s. Both teams should get on the board with at least two touchdowns and three or four scoring drives, and that should be enough to send this game past the total with ease.
NFL Odds: Vikings 27, Bengals 20
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