Bengals vs Jets Picks & Odds: Cincy Desperate To Avoid 0-3 Start To Season

After losing each of their first two games on the final play, the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) hope for better luck when they visit the New York Jets (1-1, 1-1). New York has won 10 of its last 11 home games vs the Bengals, including a 34-31 decision last year.

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Bengals vs Jets Sportsbook Odds 

Cincinnati was initially installed as a 6-point favorite on the look-ahead lines but dropped to 4.5-point chalk following Sunday’s loss in Dallas. Meanwhile, the total quickly climbed a couple of points from the opener of 42.5 in response to the Jets’ 31-point performance last week in Cleveland.

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Poor Pass Protection, Early Deficits Culprits In Cincinnati’s Slow Start

It’s early, but the Bengals don’t look anything like the team that came within a few minutes of winning the Super Bowl last winter. Well, one thing looks familiar — Cincy’s offensive line, something the team thought it had addressed over the offseason when it brought in four new starters to fix the struggling unit.

So far, those moves have yet to pay dividends. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been under siege in each of the Bengals’ two losses, getting sacked seven times in the season opener and another six last week against Dallas. It hasn’t helped that the Bengals have been forced to be pass-happy as they try to dig their way out of early deficits, failing to score a first-half touchdown yet this season.

On the bright side, the defense continues to play well, holding Dallas to just a field goal in the second half on Sunday as the Bengals went UNDER the total for the seventh straight time overall and sixth straight on the road. Cincy kicker Evan McPherson also got back on track after a rocky Week 1, hitting all three of his field-goal attempts vs Dallas.

Jets Offense Flying High As Flacco Shoots For Third Straight 300-Yard Game

Joe Flacco is turning the clock back in New York, entering Week 3 ranked third in the NFL in passing yards and leading the league in completions and attempts. Flacco turned in his second straight 300-yard performance last week in Cleveland, throwing four touchdowns — including two in the final two minutes of regulation — to lead the Jets to an improbable 31-30 win over the Browns.

The veteran quarterback’s stellar play has helped the Jets gain the sixth-most yards in the league so far, and their 34 first downs are just one off the league lead. But just when New York gets its offense figured out, there’s cause for concern about a defense that was gashed for 184 rushing yards by the Browns and allowed Nick Chubb to run for three touchdowns.

If New York is going to string together consecutive victories for the first time in nearly two years, the Jets can’t afford to get complacent. New York has played some of its worst games recently when facing mediocre opposition, going 0-11 SU and ATS in its last 11 games vs teams with losing records.

Bengals: Keys To Win

Cincy needs a faster start offensively in order to avoid having to play from behind in the second half. Burrow could also have a bit more time against a Jets defensive line that isn’t as formidable as the Pittsburgh and Dallas pass rushes that the Bengals faced in the first two games.

Jets: Keys To Win

Last week’s comeback victory should provide the Jets with confidence and hope, something New York hasn’t had very much of over the past decade. If New York can ride the momentum of that win into a strong start on Sunday, pressure will only mount on the Bengals to avoid beginning the year 0-3.

NFL Computer Pick: Jets +4.5

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