Andy Dalton

Bungling Bengals Host Buccaneers

After his Bengals were carved up for 551 yards by the Chiefs offense, Andy Dalton took an opportunity during his postgame media session to point out that “It’s just one game.” Thank goodness no more are planned for Sunday night. Kansas City’s 45-10 blowout win was Cincinnati’s ninth consecutive loss on Sunday night. Once 4-1, Marvin Lewis’ squad is now 4-3 straight up and against the spread this season.

Tampa Bay blew 14-point leads twice, but still managed to beat the reeling Browns in overtime courtesy of a Chandler Catanzaro 59-yard field goal. The Buccaneers improved to 3-3 straight up, but failed to cover the spread for a fourth consecutive game and fell to 2-4 ATS. Oddsmakers still love the Bengals as 6-point home favorites despite their two straight losses, while the Buccaneers moneyline is +198 and the point total opened at 53.5.

SHARK BITES
  • The Bengals are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games at home after failing to cover in their most recent home game.
  • The Bengals are 4-0-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five games before a bye.
  • The Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as underdog.

Buccaneers vs Bengals Game Center

WHAT WE LEARNED: WEEK 7

Bengals – Andy Dalton averaged 299 pass yards per game with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in September. Through the first three weeks of October, he’s averaging 208 pass yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. A.J. Green has caught 29 passes on 52 targets over his past five games, but only has one touchdown during that stretch. Joe Mixon was held under 4.0 yards per carry for the first time this season by a Chiefs defense allowing more than 5.2 rush yards per attempt. Cincinnati’s other shoe is dropping like an anvil.

Buccaneers – Tampa Bay fired defensive coordinator Mike Smith last week. The Buccaneers then proceeded to allow a season-low 305 yards, allowed Cleveland to convert just three of 14 third downs and sacked Baker Mayfield five times to lift their season total from nine to 14. The Browns are happy to provide desperately needed confidence boosts to teams around the league, but this remains a flawed Tampa Bay team that a stronger opponent will exploit.

NEXT LEVEL TRENDS – JAMEIS WINCE-TON

For as bad as Ryan Fitzpatrick performed at the end of his latest magic carpet ride, he was 2-1 against the spread and nearly rallied the Buccaneers back to beat the Steelers when Tampa Bay was favored by 1. The same can’t be said of Jameis Winston. After turning the ball over three times against the Browns, his ATS record was worth closer inspection. Turns out Winston hasn’t been great for Bucs backers … well … ever. When he commits zero to two turnovers, he’s 17-21-1 ATS. Yikes.

NEXT LEVEL TRENDS – WELCOME TO THE BUNGLE

Cincinnati lost to Kansas City by 35 points on Sunday night. Since 1966, the Bengals are 1-5 against the spread in games following a loss of 35 or more points. If you’re looking for a reason to back a Buccaneers squad getting 6 points, think of the Bengals still licking their wounds.

CINCINNATI, OH FORECAST

Cloudy with temperatures around 50 degrees and 60 percent chance of rain showers. The wind shouldn’t be an issue.

Randy Bullock has attempted only one field goal in the Bengals’ past two games. He’s 8-for-10 and has made all 22 extra points on the season. Chandler Catanzaro has missed two extra points and a field goal in his past two games. He’s 8-for-10 on field goals and 17-for-20 on extra points this season.

MY PICK

With all the late-game heroics needed to win, the 4-1 Cincinnati Bengals were definitely a smoke-and-mirrors Sportsbook. While they can still compete for an AFC North crown, they are far from an AFC Super Bowl contender. Like their Week 7 opponent Kansas City, Tampa Bay comes to town with a slew of receivers for Jameis Winston to target. While Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Joe Mixon will find soft spots against one of the NFL’s worst defenses this season, Winston will also find ways to score against a defense that has allowed 456 yards per game over the past month. Cincinnati now ranks 31st in yards allowed per game this season. The Bengals hold serve at home, but the Buccaneers cover the 6 points.

The Bengals are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games at home after failing to cover in their most recent home game.home The Bengals are 4-0-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five games before a bye.home The Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as underdog.away
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