Of all the possible moves the Cincinnati Benglas could have made to open their offseason, re-hiring Marvin Lewis as their head coach was the Cincinnati Bengal-iest. Last year, the Bengals finished 7-9 and managed to knock the Baltimore Ravens out of the playoff hunt in the last week of the season. So there’s that.
From the outside, this is an improved Cincinnati roster, so the idea that it’s taken for granted they’ll finish with a worse record could be an opportunity to make some money. Let’s take a look at the odds from BetDSI Sportsbook.
Cincinnati Bengals 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 5 (+110)
Under 5 (-140)
By not making any serious moves at quarterback, the Bengals are committed again to Andy Dalton under center. Behind him sits Matt Barkley and Jeff Driskel. While I like Barkley, especially as a back up, neither guy is in any danger of taking the starting job barring injury. Unless the Bengals did want to bring in a guy like Colin Kaepernick, and I don’t see that happening with Mike Brown running the team, none of the free agent QBs out there add anything Cincy doesn’t already have on the roster.
The Bengals improved their offensive line with rookie Billy Price at center an Cordy Glen at left tackle, acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Bills. Joe Mixon should be the featured back with Giovani Bernard as his back up and a third down guy.
In other rookie camp sightings, Marvin Lewis tosses a football in the air. (He dropped it) pic.twitter.com/I70XreZumA
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) May 11, 2018
As of right now, Brandon LaFell is slotted to play opposite A.J. Green, but the hope is that former first round pick John Ross will get his shit together and take that job. Ideally, LaFell would be the Bengals’ No. 4 wideout behind Green, Ross and Tyler Boyd.
Cincinnati spent most of its draft capital on defense, adding Malik Jefferson to the linebacker corps. With Vontaze Burfict sitting out early, expect to see Jefferson in that starting role. When Burfict returns, he’ll probably send Nick Vigil to the bench or to the middle linebacker spot. Cincy is solid in the defensive backfield and is deep at every position. This team, roster-wise, isn’t that far removed from the one that went 12-4 in 2015.
#Bengals third-round pick Malik Jefferson, @PFF's ninth-ranked linebacker in the 2018 draft class, will team up with a good one in Vontaze Burfict — could be quite the dynamic duo in 2018. pic.twitter.com/7IOK3bd7Ab
— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) May 2, 2018
Which makes this +/- 5 wins so interesting. Since Lewis took over in 2002, the Bengals have won under five games just twice; 2008 and 2010. Over the last two years, Cincinnati has gone 6-9-1 and the aforementioned 7-9. What makes the books feel this year is any different?
It’s their schedule. It’s a killer.
Cincinnati opens up against the Indianapolis Colts, the Baltimore Ravens on a Thursday night. They then travel to the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. They open October with the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. While I don’t think they will go 0-6 in that stretch, it’s a definite possibility.
A.J. Green: John Ross 'healthy and explosive again' https://t.co/rUwvQt2a79 pic.twitter.com/bryHXmQ2VP
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 8, 2018
Drawing the NFC South this season, and the three 2017-18 NFC playoff teams in it, makes this schedule especially tough. When you’re looking at a loaded (but horribly coached) Tampa Bay Buccaneers team as the relief on the schedule, it’s not good.
Luckily, there are two games against the Cleveland Browns in the second half of the season. For me, it all comes down to the game at the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 9. That could seal Cincy as at least a six-win team.
Still, if I was tossing some money around, I’d go the over based on Lewis’ history with the team alone.
