I’m sure Josh Allen didn’t want to get the first start of his pro career because of an injury to a teammate, but that’s how things lined up for him this week and he’ll attempt to seize the opportunity to become the Buffalo Bills regular season starter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 of the preseason. The three-player race for the No. 1 job was cut to two after A.J. McCarron sustained a shoulder injury last week, opening the door for the seventh overall pick to walk through it.
This duel in Week 3 of the preseason will go down Sunday, August 26, 2018, at 4 p.m. ET at New Era Field. You can watch the game on FOX.
NFL Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati Bengals +1.5
Buffalo Bills -1.5
Over/Under 41.5
Odds Analysis
More evidence of the value of home field advantage rests in the opening line. The Bills announced a week ago that Allen was starting and they still opened as a 1.5-point favorite. There has been little movement so far and it doesn’t appear there will be. The total opened at a respectable 41.5.
Quarterback Rotation
The Bengals were happy to get a win last week in Dallas. They were less enthusiastic about the performance of Andy Dalton and the first team offense. The unit showed it still has work to do after stalling in the Texas heat. A week after a sharp performance against the Bears, Dalton struggled to move the team. The Bengals had two first downs in his three drives, both coming on the final possession after a couple of three-and-outs. Dalton was 5 of 7 for 41 yards before giving way to Jeff Driskell.
Driskell solidified his spot as the primary backup by going 10 of 16 for 119 yards against the Cowboys. He did throw a pick and take a sack, but he’s put enough distance between himself and Matt Barkley. Driskell will likely play the second half after Marvin Lewis turns the game over the backups.
Unlike the first two preseason games when the Bills starter was classified information, Sean McDermott let everyone know early in the week that Allen was the guy. Don’t read anything into it, however, the coach said. Allen has shown enough improvement over the course of training camp and deserves the chance. He displayed a strong arm in the preseason opener, but was erratic going 9 of 19 for 116 yards with the third-team offense.
Last week Allen worked with the second-string throwing for 60 yards and a touchdown on 9 of 13 passing. The Bills scored on each of his first three drives. Allen has had limited work with the starters and he’s yet to face an opponent’s No. 1 defense, so this is a true test. McCarron returned to practice, but we’re unlikely to see him, leaving Nathan Peterman to take over for Allen.
Players to Watch
The Bengals feel so strongly about second-round draft pick Jessie Bates that they released veteran George Iloka this week, handing the rookie a starting safety job. And it’s a sign that Cincy is moving away from the veteran players that were such a huge part of their success just a few seasons ago. Earlier this year the team released Adam Jones and Brandon LaFell.
It’s one thing to get younger and it’s another to get better. The Bengals are counting on both. The top two picks from the last two drafts are eyeing a significant role on this year’s team. John Ross and Joe Mixon will be counted on to get the offense producing at a higher rate, and this year’s top pick Billy Price has earned the starting center job.
Free ATS Pick
Allen might turn into a great quarterback during his career, but I don’t think he’s ready to take the reins of the first-team offense just yet. Sure, there’s been development and he has all the tools. And the Bills wouldn’t have traded up to get him if they didn’t think he was worth it. But he has yet to play against a first team defense in the preseason. The Bengals aren’t the Steel Curtain, but they have a solid pass rush and the secondary is strong.
We can also expect a better showing from Andy Dalton in his final tune-up before the regular season. I like what Marvin Lewis has done with the Bengals as they get younger and deeper. They could actually be a sleeper in the AFC if the offense kicks it up a notch. That falls on Dalton and he’s certainly going to make this game count to lift the Bengals to a cover win.
NFL Betting Odds: Bengals 20, Bills 16
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