In order to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft teams typically have to be bad. That’s exactly the reason why the Cincinnati Bengals were able to select Joe Burrow. Coming off a 2-win campaign there is plenty of room for improvement. The Bengals lacked playmakers on both sides of the football, but they do have their franchise quarterback in place to help with the rebuild. Burrow will help a staggering offense, but holes remain for this team to show a 4-game improvement and go over its win total.
Bengals Over 5.5 Wins -142
Bengals Under 5.5 Wins +118
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Offense Preview
This was one of many weak spots last year; when you go 2-14 it’s hard to find anything positive. The Bengals ranked 30th with an average of 17.3 points per game scoring 17 points or less in 10 of their 16 contests. In today’s NFL that just won’t get it done. So, after a decade of Andy Dalton the team moved on.
Burrow has lofty credentials leading undefeated LSU to the national championship last year. He completed over 76 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards with 60 touchdowns and only six picks. He’s not going to put up those numbers in the NFL – no one has – but he’s a fit for Zac Taylor’s offense. Burrow will also benefit from having A.J. Green back in the lineup after he missed all of last season with an injury. John Ross is playing for a contract and that’s always prime motivation. Toss in Tee Higgins alongside Tyler Boyd and Auden Tate and Burrow has weapons.
Joe Mixon ran for over 1,100 yards last season proving his worth as the main running back. The Bengals need more, however, after averaging 94.8 yards per game on the ground. The return of last year’s top pick Jonah Williams will help improve an abysmal line, but it’s hard to imagine the Bengals having a drastic leap.
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Defense Preview
The Bengals couldn’t do anything right on this side of the football last season. They allowed a league-high 148.9 rushing yards per game, they were 25th in scoring defense conceding 26.3 points per game, 29th in total defense, and they forced only 16 turnovers.
Saying this group needs an overhaul is an understatement. The Bengals could have as many as seven new defensive starters, which probably isn’t a bad thing. D.J. Reader was brought in to help against the run and the secondary has a number of new faces including former Vikings teammates Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander at corner spots.
Getting a few new players to mesh into a cohesive unit is hard enough, doing it with an entirely new group makes the challenge more daunting for coordinator Lou Anarumo. It’s not an impossible task and there is some talent. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlop combined for 13.5 sacks giving the group a strong base to build on.
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule Analysis
While Cincy should be better than last year, the rest of the AFC North also looks improved. The Ravens had the best record in the NFL, the Steelers get Ben Roethlisberger back behind center and the Browns have new leadership along with an exciting core. The Bengals might eke out a win against the division, but getting two is a stretch.
The home fans will get a glimpse of No. 1 overall pick Burrow out of the gate. For just the second time since 2010 the Bengals will open the season at home taking on the Chargers. They better make the most of it with four of their next five on the road. And going over their win total will require a few upsets in the later stages of the year. Their last four games are against the Cowboys, Steelers, Texans and Ravens.
The Final Verdict
You don’t often see teams go from being as bad as the Bengals were in 2019 to contending for a playoff spot in one NFL season. A lot of work needs to be done and drafting Burrow is a start. However, the schedule is tough and a difficult stretch starting in Week 2 could put them in a hole they can’t get out of.
There are some pieces in place. Free agency was something the Bengals actively took part in and the draft class beyond Burrow looks legit. It will take time to turn things around and jumping to six wins appears to be a little steep. Play the positive juice and take the under on Cincy’s win total.
NFL Odds: Cincinnati Bengals Under 5.5 Wins
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