Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets Preview (9/25/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
Contents
The Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) travel to face the New York Jets (1-1) in week 3 of NFL action. A matchup with the Jets might be just what the Bengals need to get their season back on track. After a dramatic comeback win over the Browns, the Jets are hoping to build some momentum and get above a .500 record for the first time since week 1 of the 2018 season. Read on to find out the odds, key injuries, depth charts and important matchups for this game, and to find out my picks and predictions.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets Betting Odds
The Bengals opened as -4.5 road favorites and that line has moved in the Bengals’ direction, as it now sits at -5 or -5.5 at different sportsbooks as of Thursday morning. Roughly 80% of public money is being bet on the Bengals against the spread and on the Bengals moneyline, which opened at -210 and is now as low as -245 at DraftKings. The over/under opened at 43 and is now up to 45, with approximately 75% of money being bet on the over. Clearly Vegas and the public are not very concerned about the Bengals’ early season struggles.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets Prediction
This game sets up as the prototypical “get right” game for Joe Burrow and the Bengals. No Super Bowl runner-up has ever started the following season by going 0-3, and I don’t expect the Bengals to make history by doing that, despite the flaws that have been exposed through their first two games. Add in the revenge factor for the Bengals, who lost to a Mike White-led Jets team in week 8 of last season, and the Bengals will have plenty of motivation to get back on track in this contest.
Given the Bengals’ struggles, the Jets might be a trendy pick after their dramatic win last week, but if Nick Chubb just slides at the 1-yard line, the Browns win that game and nobody is talking about the Jets pulling off another upset this week. I would not be surprised if the Jets manage to cover the spread in this game, but my money would be on a desperate Bengals team to bounce back in a big way. I am taking the Bengals to win and cover, and their continued offensive line struggles plus a good defensive performance keeps the points total under 45.
My Predictions: Bengals win 27-13, Bengals cover, under 45 points
Betting Trends
- Bengals are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games against AFC opponents and 8-2 overall
- Jets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win
- Under is 7-0 in Bengals last 7 games overall
- Bengals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings at the Jets, and the home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams
Key Injuries
Cincinnati Bengals Injuries: OT La’el Collins (Q – back), LB Germaine Pratt (Q – knee), TE Hayden Hurst (Q – groin), TE Devin Asiasi (Q – quad), TE Drew Sample (out – knee), LS Clark Harris (IR – biceps), S Tycen Andersen (IR – hamstring), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (IR – abdomen), C Ben Brown (IR – biceps)
New York Jets Injuries: WR Corey Davis (Q – knee), LT George Fant (Q – knee), TE C.J. Uzomah (Q – hamstring), DT Quinnen Williams (Q – foot), S Jordan Whitehead (Q – calf), DE John Franklin-Myers (Q – quad/toe), QB Zach Wilson (O – knee, meniscus), OT Duane Brown (IR – shoulder), OT Mekhi Becton (IR – kneecap), DE Vinny Curry (IR – hamstring)
Here are the teams’ official injury reports as of Thursday’s practice:
#Jets injury report: WR Corey Davis (knee) added to the report. Saw him in the locker room afterward. Seemed OK, but will monitor. LT George Fant ended up with a “limited” designation. pic.twitter.com/KTNCWGSZsb
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 22, 2022
Key Matchups
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets below.
The Bengals’ Offensive Line vs. Jets’ Defensive Front
The offensive line has been the Achilles heel for the Bengals once again this season, despite the expected offseason improvements with the addition of three new starters – center Ted Karras, guard Alex Cappa and right tackle La’el Collins. It seems the Bengals offensive line got different, but didn’t necessarily get better, and it might have gotten worse. Some might put part of the blame for the Bengals’ league-high 13 sacks allowed on QB Joe Burrow, but Burrow has the seventh-fastest time to throw in the league through two weeks (2.58 seconds). The Bengals have allowed a sack on 12.7% of drop-backs through two weeks, second worst in the league. Any way you slice it, the offensive line has been terrible, and now Collins is questionable to play with a back injury.
La’el Collins (back) a no-show again. All signs pointing toward him missing the Jets game at this point. https://t.co/HGthSLCER0
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 22, 2022
The Jets don’t exactly have a vaunted pass rush. They have pressured opposing quarterbacks on 18.2% of dropbacks (28th in the league) and recorded sacks on just 5% of pass attempts (22nd in the league). If the Bengals’ offensive line can’t hold up against the Jets, they are in for a very long season.
Bengals’ wide receivers vs. Jets’ secondary
One of the best wide receivers in football in Ja’Marr Chase faces off against one of the top cornerbacks in the 2022 draft class in Sauce Gardner. The Bengals have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the league with Tee Higgins on the other side and Tyler Boyd in the slot, while the Jets’ cornerback duo of Gardner and DJ Reed is one of the best in the league and the strength of the Jets’ defense.
Lowest passer rating allowed in Week 1:
1. D.J. Reed – 0.0
…
10. Sauce Gardner – 42.4Only CB duo in the Top-10 🔒 pic.twitter.com/LmFLwnjVGU
— PFF (@PFF) September 14, 2022
If the Jets can take advantage of the Bengals’ offensive line to pressure Burrow, then Gardner and Reed could have some opportunities to make plays on rushed or under-pressure throws and perhaps create a game-changing turnover. On the other hand, if the Bengals’ o-line holds long enough to allow Chase and Higgins to get downfield, they should be able to create enough separation against Gardner and Reed to make some big plays of their own. Either way, this matchup will be a fun one to watch and will have a big impact on the outcome.
Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
QB: Joe Burrow
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Samaje Perine
LWR: Ja’Marr Chase
RWR: Tee Higgins
SWR: Tyler Boyd
TE1: Hayden Hurst
New York Jets Depth Chart
QB: Joe Flacco
RB1: Michael Carter
RB2: Breece Hall
LWR: Corey Davis
RWR: Elijah Moore
SWR: Garrett Wilson
TE1: C.J. Uzomah
