Cincinnati Bengals Odds - Bengals back on with a healthy Carson Palmer
The online sports betting community has been easily mocking the Bengals odds to win the Super Bowl. While the franchise has made plenty of poor decisions in both free agency and the draft, there is a quiet confidence about this year’s team. With a healthy Carson Palmer leading the way, the Bengals could be ready to take a giant step forward.
Cincinnati Bengals odds: +10000 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Palmer is finally healthy after a season-ending elbow injury
- Bengals defense ranked 12th in 2008, which is better than they get credit for
- If Bengals don’t have off-field distractions, they can be a surprise team in the AFC
The Bengals odds to win the Super Bowl - outside of one recent season - have never been pretty. They’ve had off-field transgressions, on-field shenanigans and injuries galore. The franchise has been a complete laughingstock, and in an era where NFL coaches have had no job security, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who is 46-49 in Cincinnati, is one of the longest-tenured coaches.
But the Bengals betting community has a glimmer of hope - more than just a glimmer, actually. With franchise quarterback Carson Palmer healthy and back under center, the Bengals will be a threat each and every week. A lot of things have changed since he hurt his elbow last season, but the Bengals odds have actually improved because there is a better cast of players now that he’s back.
For starters, he’ll be supporting with a running game, as Cedric Benson has resurrected his career and has proved to be more than serviceable. Palmer will also be working behind a reconstructed line, which now features first-round pick Andre Smith. Those two factors alone will take the pressure off of Palmer and improve the Bengals odds.
Palmer is developing into a team leader and that is one quality that this team has lacked. He has come out and said that this team will succeed with or without Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco will be back, though, and the good news is he’ll be healthy. He played with a torn labrum last year and was highly ineffective. Strangely, the wide receiving corps might actually be improved even thought T.J. Houshmanzadeh has departed via free agency. The addition of Laveranues Coles will provide a good possession receiver while the troubled Chris Henry has had the most focused offseason of his young career. The Bengals odds also perked up a bit when they added tight end Chase Coffman, who could add a weapon that the Bengals have lacked.
On defense, the Bengals odds are better than most give them credit for. The Bengals actually ranked 12th in total defense, which was their best ranking in nine years. The Bengals betting community also watched the team add safety Roy Williams and defensive tackle Tank Johnson in the offseason, which will provide some capable veterans. The Bengals odds on defense will be contingent on the growth of a lot of prospects, like Johnathan Joseph, Keith Rivers and Pat Sims.
Sportsbook odds makers may not trust the Bengals quite yet, but there is talent on this roster. As long as they avoid any sort of off-field distractions, legal troubles and Chad Ochocinco drama, this team should see a four-game improvement and get back to around .500.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
