Bengals at Jets Preview, Betting Predictions

Joe Burrow and the winless Cincinnati Bengals hit the road for a bout against the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bengals are coming off two bad games—an OT loss to the Steelers thanks largely in part to missed field goals by Evan McPherson and losing in the waning seconds to the Cowboys on a 50-yard field goal by Brett Maher.

Let’s face it: This Bengals team is not the same team we saw in the Super Bowl last season. Burrow has more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3) and his QBR is a mere 44.7. And he has no offensive line to protect him, which explains the 13 sacks in two games. La’el Collins is listed as questionable with a back injury that has been plaguing the offensive tackle since training camp.

Still, the Bengals boast one of the best wide receivers in the league in Ja’Marr Chase. Look for him to be more involved this week than last week and to get a touchdown in this contest.

The Jets are trending upwards, though I won’t get too excited as Gang Green’s win against the Browns last Sunday was due largely in part to Nick Chubb scoring a touchdown with about a minute and a half left in the game. Mental error aside, a win is a win. Joe Flacco led the charge and rookies Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall showed their offensive spark, each scoring their first career touchdowns in the 31-30 win against Cleveland.

Despite what people say about Flacco, he showed poise in marching down the field after recovering the onside kick and found a wide-open Corey Davis for a 60-plus yard touchdown reception earlier in the game.

Surprisingly, Flacco has the third most passing yards of any quarterback through two games with 616, behind Tua Tagovailoa (739 yards) and Carson Wentz (650).

I don’t think the Jets win was a fluke by any means and shows the star-studded receiver corps is the real deal.

Betting Odds (Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of 9/23):

Spread: Bengals (-6)

Moneyline: Bengals (-250); Jets (+210)

Over/Under: 45

I’m not usually big on whole numbers as the spread, but I’d take the Jets with the points this week after getting the rookies involved more offensively (If you don’t like whole numbers, tease it to +6.5). I also don’t think this is going to be a shootout, so I (surprisingly) like the under.

My picks: Jets +6; Under 45; Ja’Marr Chase Any Time TD -110

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.

(Photo: Jets Wire/USA TODAY)