NFL Futures: Andy Dalton giveth and Andy Dalton taketh. In two years on the job as a starting QB right out of college Dalton has been good enough to lead the Bengals into the playoffs both seasons but was also exposed as not ready for prime time once he took the field in post season with two poor performances. The pressure is now on Dalton and the Bengals to not just make the playoffs but to start making playoff runs. With one of the better defenses in the NFL there is a good chance that Cincinnati can indeed make the next step in 2014. Cincinnati was a 40/1 choice to win the Super Bowl and was a 16/1 choice to win the AFC championship. The Bengals had an over under win total of 9 at -125 over and -105 under.
The Dalton Gang
Hue Jackson takes over as offensive coordinator and his top priority is getting Dalton to perform more consistently. The Bengals organization has often been ripped for being cheap and poorly run but that is no longer the case at all as Cincinnati has quietly amassed one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.
Handicapper’s Notes
The Bengals have covered the spread in just eight out of their last 20 away games with eight out of their last 13 away games going under the total. Cincinnati has been a strong home team as of late at Paul Brown Stadium with 11 payouts against the spread in their last 13 games on their home field as six out of their last eight home games have gone over the total. The Bengals have lost just six out of their last 17 games against the spread as a favorite with seven out of their last 10 games as a chalk going over the total. Cincinnati has come away with the money in just two out of their last nine games as a dog with six out of their last 10 games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
“Defense wins Championships” is the old adage and certainly fits into the Bengals hopes as they ranked 3rd overall in the NFL for defense last year. We expect that last two playoff failures to be part of the growing process and for Cincinnati to be a top AFC contender.
