Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
When: 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, October 30, 2011
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
Bengals vs. Seahawks Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Bengals -3
Moneyline: Bengals -155: Seahawks +135
Over/Under: 38 points
The Seattle Seahawks, fresh off one of the worst offensive performances of any team all season long welcome the upstart Cincinnati Bengals to town this weekend. Seattle was absolutely dreadful in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland last week but could get Tavaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch back in the fold. Cincinnati, coming off their bye will be playing without Cedric Benson who will sit the game out due to suspension.
Cincinnati has rightfully taken their place as a “team of the future”. They have won three straight games and have one of the most exciting young offensive corps. in the NFL. Offensively they are much farther along than most could have predicted and defensively, they are near the top of the league in nearly all defensive statistical categories. Cincinnati is no joke as they have been in the past and they find themselves in the thick of the AFC North division race. It is hard to believe but Cincinnati has a lot to play for this weekend.
Offensively, the Bengals will be without their workhorse running back Cedric Benson. It’s a good thing for Bernard Scott whose running style lends itself well to the Bengals game plan. He will surely be OK. But the onus will definitely be on Andy Dalton, a rookie that has flown under the radar because of some guy named Cam Newton. He has passed for 1311 yards, seven touchdown and five interceptions on the season and is coming off a game in which he threw for 164 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. AJ Green is the real deal at Wide Receiver and Jermaine Gresham is one of the brightest Tight End prospects in the game. Cincinnati appears set on offense and should be a great challenge for Seattle’s banged up 20th ranked pass defense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defense is another unexpected strength of the Bengals. They are 5th against the pass, 5th against the run and are they allow the 4th least points per game in the NFL. Seattle had a difficult time with Cleveland last week – Cincinnati is better!
The Seattle Seahawks better hope to get Tavaris Jackson (game-time decision) and Marshawn Lynch (questionable – back) back in the fold this week. This is a team that only gained 137 total yards last week in Cleveland. Seattle is a much better team at home than they are on the road – CenturyLink Field is one of the toughest places in the NFL to play.
Seattle’s offense has been largely dreadful this season but the game before their bye against the Giants gave Hawks fans some reason for optimism. Then injuries, the bye and their game in Cleveland happened and undid all of the positives.
The Hawks have some work to do on offense if they want to be competitive on Sunday and for the rest of the season. Seattle currently owns the worst scoring offense, the 28th ranked passing game and the 30th ranked rushing offense in the league. Injuries took all of the wind out of Seattle’s sails – health is critical this week against Cincinnati.
Seattle’s 11th ranked run defense will not have to face Cedric Benson this week but still faces a tough test in Bernard Scott. If the run defense is able to do its part, the battered 20th ranked pass defense may be presses into action which may not be the best thing for the Hawks – they lost another starting DB in last week’s game. Seattle’s defense has been OK overall and was responsible for 5 sacks, one interception, on forced fumble and two blocked field goals last week.
Betting Prediction: The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games but are 4-2 SU in their last six. They are 3-12 SU in their last 15 games on the road and are 2-4 SU in their last six trips to Seattle. Cincinnati is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as road favorite. Seattle is 2-5 SU in their last seven games but is 4-2 SU in their last six games at home. They are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five home games versus Cincinnati but are an impressive 4-0 ATS as a home underdog.
Health is the biggest question mark for the Seahawks heading into Week 8. If Tavaris Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are unable to go, this game could get ugly. Even if the two starters return, Cincinnati will be a handful offensively and defensively. This aint the Bengals of a few years ago – they are young, talented and complete on both sides of the ball. Cincinnati is one game out of first in their division for a reason – they are good.
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -3
