Buccaneers Bengals Betting – Bengals Looking To Rebound At Home Against Tampa Bay Sunday
After consecutive wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers, the Cincinnati Bengals laid a sports betting egg in a loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend. The loss was their second of the season, and the Browns’ first victory of the season, keeping the Bengals one game back of the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North. A contender with playoff aspirations can not afford to lose consecutive games, particularly not against teams that finished in last place in their respective divisions last week, making this Sunday’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a crucial one in the early part of Cincinnati’s season.
NFL Betting: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Online Sports Betting: Bengals – 6.5
The Buccaneers make their way to Paul Brown Stadium looking to do what Cleveland did last week in providing an upset. Tampa Bay surprised many with consecutive wins over the Browns and Carolina Panthers to open the season, but came crashing down to earth in a blowout loss to the Steelers. Now, with the rest of an early season bye week under their belts, the Buccaneers look to rebound in a major way at Cincinnati.
Why To Bet On The Buccaneers?
It is difficult to explain the Buccaneers’ early football betting season success other than to note that the two teams they’ve beaten have combined for just one win in eight games. Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half of the league on both offense and defense, and their best players have struggled so far. Quarterback Josh Freeman looked good in the first two weeks, but like the rest of the team struggled against Pittsburgh. Running back Cadillac Williams is due for a big outing after averaging under four yards per carry through the first three betting games.
Why To Bet On The Bengals?
The Bengals can ill afford to lose to the Browns and Buccaneers in consecutive weeks, particularly given how good the Ravens and Steelers are playing within the division. Quarterback Carson Palmer actually registered his best numbers of his season in the loss to the Browns, so expect for head coach Marvin Lewis to demand the offense to open up a little bit. Running backs Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott have struggled to get going behind a soft offensive line, and will need to pick it up. The Bengals’ defense ranked in the top ten last year, and will need to show that same type of improvement this week to get the win.
How The Game Will Play Out
The Bengals have not made the playoffs in consecutive seasons under head coach Marvin Lewis, and if they want that trend to end they will have to win the games they are expected to. Cincinnati failed big time in a loss to Cleveland, and will need to avoid dropping a second to Tampa Bay to keep pace with the Steelers and Ravens
Buccaneers Bengals Betting Pick: Bengals -6.5
