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2022-23 Bengals Futures Bets: Can Cincinnati Rally to Win the AFC North?

After four weeks of NFL action, the Cincinnati Bengals are off to a disappointing 2-2 start. Avoidable losses to the Steelers and Cowboys have tempered expectations for the defending AFC Champions — creating a potential buy-low spot for the Bengals. Current NFL futures markets have the Bengals between +200 and +250 to win the AFC North crown this season, and bettors can find the best odds at DraftKings.

New Ohio bettors looking to back the Bengals this season won’t be able to place their wagers until the start of 2023. However, those looking to make up for a lost opportunity can secure plenty of free bets to make up for it — FanDuel Sportsbook is offering $100 in free bets to Ohioans who pre-register in advance! Cincinnati fans can use that money to back the Bengals in their first game after the new year: a home stand against the Buffalo Bills.

2022 NFL Betting Odds: Bengals Picks & Predictions

Bengals to Win the AFC North Division | +250 at DraftKings

The Cincinnati Bengals have a tough path back to the top of the AFC North, but they have only one real opponent in their way: the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore opened the year as plus-money favorites to win the division, but after four games, the Ravens now sit at -105 on FanDuel and -125 on DraftKings. Still, the Ravens and Bengals both sit at 2-2, and both teams trail the 2-2 Cleveland Browns.

The Baltimore Ravens look solid but haven’t been able to win close games. For how explosive Lamar Jackson has looked under center, the defense just hasn’t held onto leads. The Ravens rank 16th in defensive defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) and rank 29th in yards allowed per play (6.2). Unless the Ravens make some changes on defense, no lead that Jackson builds will be safe.

In contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals also look solid — except for the offensive line. Quarterback Joe Burrow has taken a whopping 16 sacks through four games. That said, Cincinnati replaced the entire right side of its line in the offseason, including the center, so some growing pains are normal as the unit builds chemistry. While the Bengals will need to see improvement out of the unit soon, the fact Burrow took only one sack in Week 4 is encouraging.

The available odds are the crux of this play. Cincinnati plays Baltimore on Sunday Night Football this week, so bettors looking to buy the dip on the Bengals have a limited opportunity to do so. Cincinnati s a field-goal road underdog to Baltimore this week with moneyline odds of +140, and a Week 5 win by the Bengals would thrust them into an easy part of their schedule with an advantage over the Ravens. The Bengals face the Saints, Falcons, Browns and Panthers before their bye week, then they play the Steelers and Titans to round out November. The Ravens will play several of those same teams over the next few weeks, but their Week 8 road game against the Buccaneers could put them another game in the hole.

This line could easily flip to a near pick’em if the Bengals win on Sunday. Of course, this line will get longer if the Ravens win, but bettors who are already high on the Bengals should expect them to look good enough in that game to keep the line relatively static. Cincinnati will have another shot at Baltimore in Week 18 as well.

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