Cincinnati Bengals 2012-2013 Season Odds

The Bengals surprised a lot of people last season by finishing with a 9-7 record and earning a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. They were one-and-done in the postseason after falling to Houston, but it still had to be considered a successful season after a 4-12 campaign in 2010.

Odds to win AFC North: +400
Regular Season Win Total: 8 (Over even)
Props: NFL MVP Odds Andy Dalton 50/1

Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton seemingly exceeding everyone's expectations in his rookie year. He passed for just under 3400 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Dalton has two great young receivers in A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham, but there's always the worry that he could succumb to a sophomore slump in his second year.

The Bengals made a change at running back in the offseason. They decided to let veteran Cedric Benson go and nabbed former Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Last season in New England he rushed for 667 yards and 11 touchdown in the Pats' pass-heavy offense.

Defensively the Bengals also surprised last season, finishing with the seventh (316.3 yards per game) ranked unit in the league. They also finished in the Top 10 in points allowed, ranking ninth and allowing 20.2 points per game.

The Bengals posted equally good stats against both the pass and the run, finishing ninth in the NFL versus the pass and 10th versus the run. They were able to do that even though they played most of the season without Pro Bowl corner Leon Hall. He missed seven games last season with an injured Achilles and his return this season could make the Bengals defense even better.

The Bengals unexpected rise last season could continue or they could be a one-season wonder if Dalton can't at least repeat last year's performance. The defense could also make or break them if they can't keep the offense in close games.

AFC North Odds at Bovada as of August 20
Baltimore Ravens +130
Pittsburgh Steelers +125
Cincinnati Bengals +400
Cleveland Browns +2000

2012 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule (All time Eastern)

01 Sep 10 CIN @ BAL (M&T Bank Stadium 7:00 ESPN)
02 Sep 16 CLE @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
03 Sep 23 CIN @ WAS (FedExField 1:00pm CBS)
04 Sep 30 CIN @ JAC ( 4:05pm CBS)
05 Oct 7 MIA @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
06 Oct 14 CIN @ CLE (Cleveland Browns Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
07 Oct 21 PIT @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 8:20pm NBC)
08 BYE
09 Nov 4 DEN @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
10 Nov 11 NYG @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
11 Nov 18 CIN @ KC (Arrowhead Stadium 1:00 CBS)
12 Nov 25 OAK @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
13 Dec 2 CIN @ SD (Qualcomm Stadium 4:25pm CBS)
14 Dec 9 DAL @ CIN (Cowboys Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 13 CIN @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 8:20pm NFL)
16 Dec 23 CIN @ PIT (Heinz Field 1:00pm CBS)
17 Dec 30 BAL @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)

Cincinnati Bengals 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Just one year removed from winning the AFC North title in 2009, Cincinnati finished with a 4-12 record in 2010, tied with Denver and Buffalo for the worst record in the AFC. And from the way this offseason has gone, it looks like things will likely get worse before they get better.

There is a lot of turnover on offense, and with Pittsburgh and Baltimore as division foes, the AFC North is a tough place to learn on the job. Barring a lot of surprises, this looks to be a long year for the Bengals.

Odds to Win AFC North: +1800
Regular Season Win Total: Over 5.5 (+135)
Props: Offensive ROY Odds Andy Dalton 12/1

NFL Odds | NFL Betting Strategy | NFL Database | NFL Handicapping Stats

All three of last season’s top producers on offense are no longer with the Bengals. Quarterback Carson Palmer decided he’d rather retire than return, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was traded to New England, and Terrell Owens was not resigned.

Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton (drafted in the second round) will be thrown right into the fire, and first-round (fourth overall) pick A.J. Green will be his primary target at wide receiver. Both players have promising futures, but will suffer some growing pains along the way.

Cedric Benson returns after rushing for 1,111 yards on 321 carries last season, and should get a heavy workload again this year to help relieve Dalton of pressure.

Despite finishing right around the league averages at 14th in total passing defense (216.8 yards per game) and 19th in total rushing defense (115.2 yards per game), Cincinnati finished 24th in points given up per game with 24.7. The passing defense may see a decline this season with cornerback Johnathan Joseph leaving the Bengals to sign with Houston.

With a defense that is average at best and an offense that will likely struggle quite a bit, Cincinnati seems fairly unlikely to improve much on last season’s win total. If the defense plays well and Cedric Benson returns to 2009 form (where he rushed for 4.2 yards per carry), the Bengals could steal a few games; but Pittsburgh and Baltimore are too far ahead to catch.

Week 1: at Cleveland

AFC North Odds at Bodog as of August 30:
Pittsburgh Steelers -110
Baltimore Ravens +120   
Cleveland Browns +800   
Cincinnati Bengals +1800

2011 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 CIN @ CLE (Cleveland Browns Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
02 Sep 18 CIN @ DEN (Sports Authority Field at Mile High 4:15pm CBS)
03 Sep 25 SF @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 BUF @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
05 Oct 09 CIN @ JAC (EverBank Field 1:00pm CBS)
06 Oct 16 IND @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
07 Bye
08 Oct 30 CIN @ SEA (CenturyLink Field 4:15pm CBS)
09 Nov 06 CIN @ TEN (LP Field 4:05pm CBS)
10 Nov 13 PIT @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
11 Nov 20 CIN @ BAL (M&T Bank Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
12 Nov 27 CLE @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
13 Dec 04 CIN @ PIT (Heinz Field 1:00pm CBS)
14 Dec 11 HOU @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
15 Dec 18 CIN @ STL (Edward Jones Dome 1:00pm CBS)
16 Dec 24 ARI @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
17 Jan 01 BAL @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)