On Sunday afternoon, two teams desperate for a victory will clash as the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3, 1-2 ATS) visit the Carolina Panthers (1-2, 1-2 ATS). These franchises did not face each other last season, but in their last encounter in 2022, the Bengals triumphed with a score of 42-21. Cincinnati is coming off a narrow defeat against the Washington Commanders, losing 38-33 while favored by 7.5 points. Meanwhile, the Panthers are riding high after securing their first win of the season, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22 as 4.5-point underdogs. As the game approaches, the Bengals are currently favored by 4.5 points on the road. The kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with coverage available regionally on FOX.
Crisis Mode in Cincinnati
Historically, only one NFL team, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, has made the playoffs after beginning a season 0-4. This fact looms large for the Bengals, who face pressure to avoid a similar fate if they lose again. Their recent performances have been lackluster, including defeats against the Chiefs, Patriots, and Commanders. The loss to Washington was particularly frustrating, as both teams maintained possession without punting or turning the ball over, leading to a five-point defeat despite Joe Burrow’s impressive 324 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Burrow has accumulated 746 passing yards this season, with a completion percentage of 70.9% and five touchdowns without any interceptions. However, these numbers have not translated into wins, reflecting the close connection between a quarterback’s performance and team success. Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow’s primary target, struggled early in the season due to contract discussions but rebounded last week, recording 118 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins, a key receiver, is expected to contribute fully again after dealing with injuries. Tight end Mike Gesicki has caught 14 passes for 156 yards so far. Running back Zack Moss has been effective, amassing 136 yards and two touchdowns with an average of 4.1 yards per carry.
The Bengals’ defense has allowed an average of 26.7 points per game, ranking 27th in the league. Germaine Pratt leads the squad with 33 tackles, while the defensive line, spearheaded by Trey Hendrickson, has recorded five sacks, with Hendrickson accounting for three of those. However, Hendrickson’s status is uncertain due to an illness. The secondary has struggled as well, with only two interceptions so far, one of which was made by cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt against the Chiefs.
Injury Report:
Questionable: TE Tanner Hudson, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Sheldon Rankins, DT B.J. Hill
OT Trent Brown is out for the season due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in the loss to the Commanders.
Panthers Rely on Dalton
This matchup has taken a twist as it has become known as the Andy Dalton Game. The veteran quarterback, now 36, could be the one to derail his former team’s season if he can lead the Panthers to victory. Dalton stepped in during Week 3 against the Raiders, taking over after Bryce Young’s struggles resulted in his benching. Trade rumors surrounding Young continue to circulate, but the Panthers have time to evaluate their options with the former number one overall pick. In his debut as a starter, Dalton threw for 319 yards, registering three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Raiders.
Dalton expressed confidence in his team’s potential after the win, stating, “The way this game went today is exactly how you want it to go. They’re not all going to go this way, but for us to come out and do what we did, it shows the potential of what we can be.” He has significant experience, having played for the Bengals from 2011 to 2019, and his primary target against the Raiders was Diontae Johnson, who caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. However, Johnson is questionable for this game, and Adam Thielen has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, leaving the Panthers with limited receiving options. Rookie Xavier Legette will need to step up; he has recorded six receptions for 77 yards thus far. Chuba Hubbard, the leading running back, is averaging 5.2 yards per carry with a total of 192 rushing yards this season.
The Panthers’ defense has struggled significantly, allowing an average of 31.7 points per game, which is the highest in the league. Shaq Thompson leads the Panthers in tackles, contributing 30 to the effort. The defensive unit has only generated five sacks, with Jayden Peevy accounting for 1.5 of them. They have also recorded two interceptions this season, with one made by cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Diontae Johnson, G Damien Lewis, DT Shy Tuttle, CB Lonnie Johnson Jr, S Nick Scott
Analyzing the Best Bets for Bengals vs. Panthers
This matchup presents a classic case of sharp versus square betting. Sharps are likely to back the Panthers, who are home underdogs following their first win. In contrast, the public tends to believe the Bengals cannot possibly lose four consecutive games. While public sentiment can often sway bets, the Bengals are in dire need of a win to stay competitive this season. Their roster boasts significant talent, especially with Higgins returning at peak performance. The Panthers rank last in points allowed, while Cincinnati recently played a game without any turnovers or punts, which indicates potential scoring difficulties.
With film available on how the Panthers have adjusted their play with Dalton instead of Young, the Bengals can better prepare for this change. Dalton’s experience brings stability, but he may lack mobility and could be missing two key receivers. With Thielen out and Johnson’s status uncertain, Dalton will have to rely on inexperienced players to match up with Cincinnati’s offensive firepower. Overall, the Bengals should secure their first win of the season in this contest.
