Bengals Jaguars Betting – Bengals Come Out On Top In Clash Of Rookie Pivots
Online betting players have seen the NFL transform into a passing league, and teams are taking more chances on rookie quarterbacks, which is the story of Week 5’s meeting between Jacksonville and Cincinnati. Give the betting edge to the team with the quarterback that has a little more experience with the first team, even on the road.
What: NFL Betting
When: Sunday, October 9th, 1:00 PM ET
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals +1.5
Why Bet On Cincinnati Bengals (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS)
All four of the Bengals’ games this season have been decided by 10 points or less after a 23-20 come-from-behind win over previously undefeated Buffalo, so it’s encouraging that this Cincinnati team is staying in games, win or lose. The duo of Andy Dalton (18-of-36 for 298 yards, one touchdown, two picks, one rushing score) and A.J. Green (four receptions, 118 yards) continue to improve, while Cedric Benson led a potent rushing attack with 104 yards on 19 carries. Tight end Jermaine Gresham also chipped in with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, and this Cincinnati offense could be very good by the end of the year, if not, next year. That would come in handy as the Bengals’ defense has generally been good throughout the tenure of head coach Marvin Lewis, and they held Buffalo to 273 yards, including 83 yards on the ground.
They could still stand to improve against the run, where they rank 20th, and the Bills still managed to average 4.0 yards per carry. The Jaguars pose a threat to Cincinnati as they’re easing in their own rookie quarterback, but they already have a top-10 (depending on who you talk to) running back on their side. The Bengals also committed a pair of turnovers (both picks by Dalton) and they have to be more careful with the ball, especially the rookie quarterback. The Bengals have momentum as they try to move past the Carson Palmer/Chad Ochocinco era, and they can’t afford to make costly mistakes. This week’s major worry is running back Cedric Benson, who appealed a suspension for legal troubles suffered during the lockout. You should know his status by Wednesday.
Why Bet On Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS)
The Jaguars may try to boost their NFL betting chances by running the ball, because Blaine Gabbert showed he still has a lot to learn in a 23-10 loss at home to New Orleans. Gabbert was 16-of-42 for 196 yards, a touchdown and a pick, and to be fair to him, he went up against a complex New Orleans defense that likes to blitz a lot. Maurice Jones- Drew ran 11 times for 84 yards, but the Jaguars had to go away from the run in the second half as they were playing catch-up. The defense held their own, limiting the Saints to three second-half field goals when they threatened to run away with the game, and it’s even more impressive when you see that the Jacksonville defense were on the field for over 37 minutes. The Jaguars sacked Drew Brees three times, and they did all they could to keep their team in the game, but you can only do so much with an anemic offense.
Gabbert could have a tough time in this game, and he’s behind the eight-ball as he really started practicing with the first team late in preseason, and it really ramped up when the Jaguars released David Garrard the week before the regular season began. Meanwhile, Dalton has been the No.1 quarterback in camp for Cincinnati from the beginning as they were going through the Palmer saga. It still might take Gabbert a while to get on the same page as his receivers, and to get used to the speed of the NFL game. This isn’t Missouri or the Big 12 anymore.
How It Will Play Out
The Jaguars are a 1.5-point favorite at home according to NFL betting odds, and they’re 4-1 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the Bengals since 2001, with two games going over the posted total along with two pushes. In two games in Jacksonville, the Jaguars are 2-0 SU and 1-0-1 ATS and both games went over the total.
Jacksonville has to establish the run with Jones-Drew, because if they get behind it is a lot to ask of Gabbert to lead the team back. Not having Benson would also be a problem for the Bengals, because they would have to lean on Dalton and he can be prone to interceptions. Defense will likely be the story of this game, but Dalton has a few more weapons that he is familiar with, so take the Bengals on the road in your sports betting book.
Bengals Jaguars Betting Pick: Cincinnati Bengals
