The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) are on the road for the third week in a row and fresh off two back-to-back victories with the most recent coming against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. Meanwhile, the New York Jets (1-5), return home after getting smacked by Mac Jones and the New England Patriots.
Below, we’ll take a look at the early odds and best sportsbooks to bet with.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets
Sunday, October 31, 2021 – 01:00 PM EDT at MetLife Stadium
The Bengals entered last week as 6.5-point underdogs, but are now the favored team for this matchup. As for the Jets, they were 7-point underdogs in Week 7 and remain the underdog this week. According to Bovada (visit our Bovada Review) Cincinnati is a 10-point favorite over New York with the over/under at 51.
The Matchup
The Bengals kicked off the season with an overtime win over Minnesota in Week 1 then lost to the Bears before two straight victories over Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. They almost beat the Packers after that but settled for an overtime loss and got back on track against Detroit, smashing them 34-11.
But they picked up their best win yet in Week 7 with a 41-17 road victory over Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. They were able to rack up 520 yards of total offense the stop unit held the Ravens to just 17 points. QB Joe Burrow posted 416 yards with three scores and one pick. Wideout Ja’Marr Chase stole the show for 201 yards and a TD on eight grabs. The rookie currently ranks second in the league with 754 receiving yards, scoring six touchdowns through his first seven games.
It’s a different story for the Jets who have continued to struggle this season. Their only victory had come against the Tennessee Titans with a 27-24 overtime and its looking like it was a lucky one as the Titans were very banged up.
In their latest matchup, they were blown away 54-13 by the Patriots and only managed 299 yards of total offense compared to New England’s 551. The Jets are averaging only 13 points a game this season and no other team in the NFL has scored fewer points than them. Now, they are without their QB1 in rookie Zach Wilson who suffered a knee injury in the loss and will miss at least 2-4 weeks.
The Jets traded for Joe Flacco this week but it’s unclear if he or backup Mike White will start given the minimal time Flacco will have to learn the playbook. White finished the game on Sunday and posted 202 yards with a touchdown and two picks on 20-of-32 passing.
Prediction
The Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase connection is real and it’ll be a miracle if this Jets defense can keep themselves from yet another blowout, but I just don’t see that happening. The Jets are not much different from the tanking team that they were last season and it doesn’t matter who is leading the way with Wilson sidelined, their offense is just ugly.
Free NFL Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -10 (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
