The New England Patriots enter the jungle in Cincinnati Week 1 as 8.5-point underdogs. Oddsmakers think this will be a low scoring affair as they've set the over/under at 40.5 points.
These two teams are in very different places entering this contest as the Patriots might be the worst team in the league and are rebuilding, while Cincinnati has Super Bowl aspirations.
Read below for two picks from the Patriots vs. Bengals game.
Patriots Vs Bengals Odds Week 1
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sept. 8, 1 pm ET
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
New England Patriots | +8.5 (-110) | +330 | Over 40.5 (-118) |
Cincinnati Bengals | -8.5 (-110) | -420 | Under 40.5 (-104) |
As of September 5 at 1:31 pm ET
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Patriots Vs Bengals Picks Week 1
Under 41.5 (-120)
The Bengals offense is notorious for starting the season slowly, like last year when they only mustered three points vs. Browns in Week 1. The Patriots’ offense is a mess and could struggle to gain traction on the road against a Bengals defense that has a few nice pieces.
I found this line in the alt total market at FanDuel and I love that the number gets me up over the key number of 41.
Even if Ja’Marr Chase plays, it’s fair to wonder about motivation and rust with him after not practicing with the team throughout the preseason. Without a new contract, Chase may be thinking about protecting his body more than usual. Make no mistake, Tee Higgins is a good WR, but this offense runs through Chase and if he’s not himself the offense will look disjointed.
The Patriots have several concerns along their offensive line including an injury to guard Sidy Sow, which may keep him out. If you believe the water cooler talk, the reason the Patriots aren’t starting rookie QB Drake Maye is because this offensive line in New England is so bad and they don’t want him to get injured. With poor WRs (more on that below) and a bad offensive line, I don’t expect much out of the Patriots in this spot.
With this point spread getting below -9 earlier this week, the Bengals side is now an ideal teaser leg. To see which dance partner I chose to tease the Bengals with, click here.
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Patriots Vs Bengals Prop Pick
Hunter Henry over 2.5 receptions (-138)
Henry eclipsed this total in five out of his last seven games last season. This year, with such little help on the outside, Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett will need to lean on Henry over the middle to move the chains. Which Patriots WR excites you? Ja’Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn, or DeMario Douglas? This is the worst WR rooms in the NFL and one of the ugliest cast of characters I’ve seen in a while. Polk, the rookie, may develop into a nice player, but Week 1 vs. Cincinnati, Brissett would be wise to lean on his veteran TE in a tough game on the road.
Henry may find himself matched up in coverage with Bengals LBs Akeem Davis-Gaither and Logan Wilson. Pro Football Focus gave that duo uninspiring 56.7 and 57.9 coverage grades respectively.
