stormtrooper8
- Joined
- May 30, 2022
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Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals win total: 9.5 (-130 over, +110 under)
Going to try and avoid any homerism on this one lol
Objectively, we have to acknowledge Cincinnati has not gone over this number since they made their last AFC Championship appearance. In 2023, Burrow went down midway through the season after the Bengals had started to get back on the right track a bit following a slow start. In 2024, Burrow was healthy but the defense took a nose dive and the team really never got over the slow start until winning their last 5 games and just missing the playoffs. They were 9-8 both years. Last year, the defense regressed even more and Burrow missed most of the season , though they did finally start well with a 2-0 start.
But this year looks like it could be different. The Bengals made some pretty significant upgrades in free agency on defense, something that is rare and only really comparable to their offseason moves before their 2021 season -- when they went to the Super Bowl. Burrow seems to be the most optimistic about the roster top to bottom in a while. Their offensive line has finally been making some pretty significant strides. While the consistency isn't there, they seem to have some cohesion on that unit and their recent moves/drafting there have paid off. If their offensive roster stays healthy, they are going to put up a points even if they have their usual slow start on that side of the ball.
The schedule is also pretty friendly -- third-easiest SOS on paper. Though we have to remember part of that is because they play the NFC South. Their own division may be pretty easy this year though, with Cleveland in a true rebuild and the Steelers looking like they could have a down year.
The Bengals have had some tendency to leave meat on the bone, but I do think they're going to be a pretty tough team this year. And the 9.5 is low enough where they have some margin for error. Obviously the main factor (as always) will be Burrow's health. I tend to this he isn't injury-prone as his perception, with the last couple injuries being pretty "freak" injuries. Unlucky, sure, but he did play a fully healthy season in 2024 when he probably could've been MVP if the team was better.
I'm going again the with juice. Think they take the North this season. They've tended to be slightly over-valued since their deep playoff runs when they were HISTORICALLY undervalued, but it looks like they are back to being undervalued a bit.
Verdict: Bengals OVER 9.5 wins -130
Bengals win total: 9.5 (-130 over, +110 under)
Going to try and avoid any homerism on this one lol
Objectively, we have to acknowledge Cincinnati has not gone over this number since they made their last AFC Championship appearance. In 2023, Burrow went down midway through the season after the Bengals had started to get back on the right track a bit following a slow start. In 2024, Burrow was healthy but the defense took a nose dive and the team really never got over the slow start until winning their last 5 games and just missing the playoffs. They were 9-8 both years. Last year, the defense regressed even more and Burrow missed most of the season , though they did finally start well with a 2-0 start.
But this year looks like it could be different. The Bengals made some pretty significant upgrades in free agency on defense, something that is rare and only really comparable to their offseason moves before their 2021 season -- when they went to the Super Bowl. Burrow seems to be the most optimistic about the roster top to bottom in a while. Their offensive line has finally been making some pretty significant strides. While the consistency isn't there, they seem to have some cohesion on that unit and their recent moves/drafting there have paid off. If their offensive roster stays healthy, they are going to put up a points even if they have their usual slow start on that side of the ball.
The schedule is also pretty friendly -- third-easiest SOS on paper. Though we have to remember part of that is because they play the NFC South. Their own division may be pretty easy this year though, with Cleveland in a true rebuild and the Steelers looking like they could have a down year.
The Bengals have had some tendency to leave meat on the bone, but I do think they're going to be a pretty tough team this year. And the 9.5 is low enough where they have some margin for error. Obviously the main factor (as always) will be Burrow's health. I tend to this he isn't injury-prone as his perception, with the last couple injuries being pretty "freak" injuries. Unlucky, sure, but he did play a fully healthy season in 2024 when he probably could've been MVP if the team was better.
I'm going again the with juice. Think they take the North this season. They've tended to be slightly over-valued since their deep playoff runs when they were HISTORICALLY undervalued, but it looks like they are back to being undervalued a bit.
Verdict: Bengals OVER 9.5 wins -130
