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NFL Predictions: Bengals Super Bowl XLIX Betting Lines & 2014 Preview

Cincinnati – 2015 Super Bowl Chances

The Bengals took the division last year and in my opinion are the favourite to do so again. This is a team with the potential for a really strong offense but there has to be some concern about the defense because DC Mike Zimmer finally got that head coaching opportunity he deserves.

However, if Geno Atkins is healthy that should make the new guy look pretty darn smart. Cincinnati looks good to make the playoffs again and hopefully do better than last time.

Cincinnati Bengals

Coach:  Marvin Lewis
2013 Record: 10–6
Bengals Betting Odds to win AFC North:  +180
Bengals Betting Odds to win Super Bowl:  30/1
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Key addition:

Jeremy Hill, RB

Key loss:

Michael Johnson, DE

Bengals Strengths

Assuming that Atkins is all the way back their defensive line is as good as anybody else’s in football. It hurt losing Charles Johnson but the end tandem of Carlos Dunlap and Wallace Gilberry will be super productive and inside Atkins and Domato Peko form a formidable wall to run against.

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After Megatron there is not a better receiver in the league than A.J. Green.

He has the athleticism to make unbelievable catches and is surrounded by enough other threat to be enabled to do so.

Even though touchdown maker Marvin Jones will be out early the Bengals receiving corps will continue to be an elite unit.

Vontaze Burfict made it hard for teams to draft him a few years back due to his volatility. But since he was given a shot in the NFL he has been a monster.

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Last year he had 204 tackles leaving little for anybody else on the team and he and Ray Maualauga form a very strong duo in the middle of that Bengals defense.

Weaknesses

I am a fan of Gio Bernard but in cutting BenJarvus Green-Ellis they are leaving the entire running game to a set of untested players. The Bengals have the makings of a really nice offense but they have to be able to run the ball to keep their passing weapons available to make big plays.

If Cincinnati is going to achieve its goals this season QB Andy Dalton has to be better at making decisions. Last year he threw 20 interceptions which is too many even if the defense is able to bail him out most of the time.

The Red Rocket may have a number of comebacks under his belt but he has to stop putting them in tough situations.

To have an elite defense you have to be able to cover. At cornerback this season they will have a 36 year old Terrence Newman and Leon Hall, coming off a major injury.

If Newman shows his age or Hall isn’t quite his old self all that strength up front will be for not.

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They really need former top pick Dre Kirkpatrick to prove he isn’t a bust.

Cincinnati Bengals NFL 2014 Prediction: 11-5

2014 Bengals NFL Schedule:

  • 1. September 7 1:00PM ET @ Baltimore Ravens
  • 2. September 14 1:00PM ET Atlanta Falcons
  • 3. September 21 1:00PM ET Tennessee Titans
  • 4. Bye Week
  • 5. October 5 8:30PM ET @ New England Patriots
  • 6. October 12 1:00PM ET Carolina Panthers
  • 7. October 19 1:00PM ET @ Indianapolis Colts
  • 8. October 26 1:00PM ET Baltimore Ravens
  • 9. November 2 1:00PM ET Jacksonville Jaguars
  • 10. November 6 8:25PM ET Cleveland Browns
  • 11. November 16 1:00PM ET @ New Orleans Saints
  • 12. November 23 1:00PM ET @ Houston Texans
  • 13. November 30 1:00PM ET @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • 14. December 7 1:00PM ET Pittsburgh Steelers
  • 15. December 14 1:00PM ET @ Cleveland Browns
  • 16. December 22 8:30PM ET Denver Broncos
  • 17. December 28 1:00PM ET @ Pittsburgh Steelers

I am looking for the Bengals to get off to a fast start, going 3-0 before their early bye in week 4. I think they will win the division but it is possible they need to win at Pittsburgh that final week to do so.

Look for the Bengals in underdog situations this year.

They should have a top 10 defense and have the offense to compete with any team in the league. Best of all even though they have had success lately they still seem to play their best when they are not being sufficiently respected.

The NFL betting season is here at Cappers Picks. NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.

Bet on the Super Bowl XLIX winner, plus 2014/15 Conference and Divisional winners today. What are you waiting for use our insider knowledge today to gamble on all the NFL Football Futures in our top online sportsbooks today.

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.