New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals: Preview, Predictions, and More

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets

The New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals will be squaring off in Week 1 of the regular season. Both of these teams are hopeful playoff contenders in the AFC this season, which makes this an important game.

Both teams will be coming into Week 1 with a sour taste in their mouth from last season. For the Jets, it was a disappointing loss in Week 17 which cost them a spot in the playoffs. For the Bengals, it was a losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. The Bengals were without quarterback Andy Dalton for that playoff game, but he will be back and healthy against the Jets.

The quarterback situation has been one of the biggest storylines for the Jets this offseason, and after a long contract negotiation, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be under center. Many blamed Fitzpatrick for the loss in Buffalo, and the organization being hesitant to sign him might have been an indication of that

Keys to the game:

One of the biggest keys to the game for the Bengals will be to get pressure on Fitzpatrick. The Jets have a lot of talent and depth at wide receiver which can cause some problems in the secondary for the Bengals. If the Bengals are able to disrupt the timing of the Jets offense with a good pass rush, it will help them win the game.

For the Jets, one of the keys to a victory for them will be to force Dalton into mistakes. Dalton has been a bit of a boom or bust quarterback in the NFL. Sometimes he looks like he belongs with the NFL’s elite, and other times he will leave you scratching your head. If the Jets can rattle Dalton’s confidence, they can make him fold.

Odds:

Point spread: Bengals -2.5

Over/Under: 41.5

Prediction:

This is going to be a defensive battle to start out the season for both teams. Due to the game being in New York, they should have the advantage in what could be an ugly game. The Bengals are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against the Jets, and those struggles will continue.

Score: Jets 17 Bengals 13