NFL odds excitement is catching on with the Cincinnati Bengals after their big win last week against AFC North arch rival Baltimore while Carolina is winless so far. The Carolina Panthers will try and save their season Sunday when they host the Bengals. Kickoff is set for 1:05 PM Eastern and Cincinnati opened at SBG as a 3 point favorite with an over/under of 38.5.
A Pointed Reminder
Last week Cincinnati gave handicappers and fans a pointed reminder that their division championship last year was not a fluke and that they intend to reign supreme again in the AFC North. While Baltimore opened the season as the favorite to take the North the Bengals put them in their place with an impressive defensive effort in which they intercepted Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco times. It was a particularly important NFL betting win and payout after the horrible opening day loss at New England in which the Bengals came off as pretenders rather than contenders.
Fox Under Fire
Meanwhile Carolina has fallen flat on their face out of the gate with a record of 0-2 both straight up and against the spread, which is a bad reminder of last year’s 0-3 start. Head coach John Fox is under intense fire and may have the hottest seat in the NFL. The Panthers offense has been especially bad as it ranks 28th overall for both yardage and scoring and will be up against it this week versus a Bengals unit that is one of the best. The Panthers have looked terrible in both of their losses with the NFL odds as they opened with a 31-18 defeat at the New York Giants and then laid a 20-7 stink bomb in their home opener last week versus Tampa Bay.
Clausen to the Rescue
Jimmy Clausen will get the start on Sunday at quarterback for the Panthers as the rookie replaces the ineffective Matt Moore. Moore had 6 turnovers in 2 games which forced the change that looks to many NFL betting handicappers a desperation move by Fox. Clausen calls the start a dream come true for him.
Current Trends
Cincinnati has beaten the NFL odds in just 2 out of their last 10 games overall while Carolina has been a good long term under play with at home with a mark of 35-16 under the total as a host.