Cincinnati Bengals: 2010 NFL Season Betting Preview

(+3050) – Odds to Win the Super Bowl
(Over 8.5, +140: Under 8.5, -160) – Over/Under Total Wins
(+285) – Odds to Win Division

The Bengals really surprised a lot of folks last year when they took the division from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Some are trying to call the Bengals’ success a fluke, and while I seriously doubt they’ll sweep one of the toughest divisions in football two seasons in a row, there’s not much fluky about Cincinnati. If anything, I think they’ll be a little better football team in 2010. Carson Palmer is coming off a healthy year and a healthy off-season, that’s good news for a Bengal passing game that really struggled in 2009. Terrell Owens has joined Chad Ochocinco to form a dynamic (though aging) wide receiving corps. Both guys can still play. The Bengals finally drafted the TE Carson Palmer has always needed, the super talented Jermaine Gresham. The big pass catching TE should really help Carson on 3rd down. Cedric Benson is back, and the rushing game should be strong again. Defensively, this team is talented. Everybody talks about the New York Jets and their elite secondary, but Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall are two very good young players. This team has a very strong defensive line as well – I’m telling you, they are good. If Pacman Jones can come in and help this team… If TO can be the good TO without the bad juju… If Carson Palmer can get his accuracy and confidence back… This team won’t just be good, they’ll be an elite team in the AFC. I like the over 8.5 at +140 – that’s a good payback for a team I’m pretty confident will win 9 games. As a Super Bowl team, they have a chance, but I don’t know if +3050 is enticing enough. I like their odds to win the division – they might not be my sure thing favorite, but at +285 I have to like them, they have as good a shot as anyone.