After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, even without Joe Burrow, the Bengals have their star QB healthy and poised for the new season.
In the betting markets, Cincinnati is being priced as one of the NFL's true contenders. That makes sense since the Bengals have done what only two AFC teams have done in the Patrick Mahomes era: make the Super Bowl.
Here's everything you need to know about the Bengals.
2024 Bengals Odds
Odds via FanDuel and as of Aug. 11.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl | +1500 |
| AFC Champion | +750 |
| AFC North | +165 |
| Make/Miss Playoffs | -220 / +170 |
| Win Total | 10.5 (-134 / +110) |
2023 Bengals Betting Records
- 7-8-2 against the spread (-9.7% ROI)
- 10-7 to the over (+12.7% ROI)
Past Bengals Win Totals
| Season | Win Total | No. of Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.5 | 10 |
| 2022 | 9.5 | 12 |
| 2023 | 11 | 9 |
Important Bengals Betting Stats
Burrow is one of the most prolific QBs to bet on in NFL history. So far, he’s 36-22-1 against the spread. Jake Browning, given his backup status and lack of history, is a solid 3-3-1.
Zac Taylor is equally prolific — he’s 49-38-2 ATS as an NFL head coach.
Bengals Among AFC's Top Contenders
As long as Burrow is healthy, the Bengals will be firmly among the teams competing for the AFC’s spot in the Super Bowl.
While there is uncertainty about whether the team will be able to keep Burrow’s key supporting cast of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins around over the long haul, this season will be no different for Cincinnati. It will be one of the teams with a strong chance to dethrone the Chiefs.
The key offseason moves for the Bengals saw reliable offensive pieces leave in running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
Mixon will be replaced by a combination of Zack Moss and Chase Brown, both of whom impressed last season in limited action for the Colts and Bengals. The team’s pass-catching corps, though, is a little more uncertain.
Third-round rookie Jermaine Burton will presumably get the first shot at claiming the WR3 role in the Bengals' passing game. Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas will also have chances to impress and earn roles.
At tight end, Mike Gesicki will presumably open the season as the primary pass-catching option. He’s always had above-average athleticism, and perhaps his potential can be unlocked with Burrow getting him the ball.
To the Bengals’ credit, they started last season slowly at 1-3 and rebounded to put themselves back in the playoff race before Burrow’s season ended in Week 11. Even after that, Cincinnati finished the season 4-3 in its last seven games. It missed out on the playoffs at 9-8 due to tiebreakers.
What does that tell us? Well, it speaks to the quality of backup quarterback Jake Browning, but it also says that the rest of the Bengals roster can hold up its end of the bargain.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Outlook
Cincinnati is priced around 15-1 at all sportsbooks to win the Super Bowl, which again speaks to the respect had for Burrow. It makes sense since him and Tom Brady are the only quarterbacks with playoff wins over Patrick Mahomes.
If you believe in the Bengals, the more reasonable market maybe be in the AFC North. They’re +165 to win the division at FanDuel, trailing the favored Ravens at +145. Cleveland is a long shot at +450, but Deshaun Watson hasn’t lived up to the hype yet and was actually outplayed by Joe Flacco down the stretch last season, while the Steelers are stuck in quarterback purgatory.
2024 Bengals Schedule Info
The Bengals’ 2024 schedule is tied with the Giants for the 21st-hardest in the NFL.
Cincinnati will benefit from a last-place finish in the AFC North this season, although it will still face out-of-division games against the Chiefs, Eagles and Cowboys throughout the season.
Cincinnati's Week 1 Odds & Matchup
Barring any significant injuries or changes, the Bengals will open the season as Week 1's biggest betting favorite.
Cincinnati is laying nine points to the Patriots at home with a total of 42.5 that is tied for the fourth-lowest of the week. While the Bengals are primed for contention with Burrow back in the saddle, New England is coming off a brutal season, has a new head coach and there's uncertainty at quarterback entering Week 1.
