The Cincinnati Bengals have shown only flashes of “championship football” the past two seasons, unable to sustain the same level of play that got them to a Super Bowl and two straight AFC title games in 2021 and 2022.
We got a brief five-game run in 2023 (4-1 ATS) in which the Bengals looked like world beaters before Joe Burrow was lost to a broken wrist. Last year, Cincinnati seemed cursed for the first three months before winning five in a row (4-1 ATS) to salvage a 9-8 season.
Oddsmakers seem confident that Cincy can pick up where it left off.
The Bengals are point spread favorites in 10 games, laying -3.5 or more eight times. Their season win total sits right on that fence at 9.5 O/U, and the playoff odds lean toward a return to the tournament.
However, these are the same lofty expectations of the previous two seasons. Fool me thrice?
We count the stripes with my 2025 NFL betting preview for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals best bets
Read on for Jason's full analysis and Cincinnati Bengals breakdown!
Cincinnati Bengals odds for 2025
| Market |  |
|---|---|
| Win Super Bowl | +2200 |
| Win conference | +1000 |
| Win division | +250 |
| Make playoffs | -150 |
| Over 9.5 wins | -110 |
| Under 9.5 wins | -110 |
Best futures bet: Second in AFC North (+160)
A strong start would go a long way for the Cincinnati Bengals this fall. Cincinnati is notorious for stumbling out of the blocks, for a myriad of reasons over the past few years.
As of this writing, everything points to the Bengals bucking that trend (besides Trey Hendrickson’s contract snafu) as they have a solid shot at starting the schedule 3-0 (at Cleveland -5.5, vs. Jacksonville -5.5, at Minnesota +1.5).
Baltimore is the team to beat in the AFC North, but I don’t believe the division will be as prickly as past seasons. I have Pittsburgh pegged for a backpedal, and the less we say about Cleveland, the better.
Cincinnati Bengals at a glance: Tough time in trenches
Sizing up Super Bowl contenders, you see a common theme. Philadelphia, Baltimore, Buffalo, Kansas City, Detroit — all are very good on the line of scrimmage. The Bengals… not so much.
The offense is protecting a multi-million dollar passing attack with a Dollar Store o-line, while the defensive front rates out among the worst in the NFL — save for Trey Hendrickson, who is mired in a contract standoff. All he did was lead the league in sacks last season.
We can see the divide between the Bengals and the next tier of contenders in the week-to-week spreads. Cincinnati is laying lumber against the likes of the Jets and Jaguars, but is a notable pup when running into the Ravens and Bills.
What will win bets: Passing
The fact Joe Burrow was an MVP candidate on a non-playoff team speaks volumes about his place among the NFL’s best passers. He’s hands down the best player on the field in 14 of the Bengals’ 17 games (outside of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson).
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are as powerful a one-two punch as any other receiving tandem, fueling an air attack that finished second in success rate per dropback and fifth in red-zone touchdown rate.
Being able to score quickly and often is the reason Cincinnati went 8-4 ATS in the final 12 games of 2024.
What will lose bets: Defense
You could call the Bengals “unlucky” after enduring several bad breaks in 2024, but the root of those troubles was the defense.
Cincinnati oozed points and couldn’t disrupt opponents in any facets, finishing 27th in EPA allowed per play and 30th in success rate allowed. Given those craptacular numbers, you’d think the front office would inject this stop unit with much needed talent. Whelp.
The Bengals did make a switch at defensive coordinator, bringing in a familiar Al Golden, but didn’t give him any new toys. With eight spreads sitting at Cincy -3.5 or higher, be prepared to get stung by the hook thanks to this lifeless stop unit.
Cincinnati Bengals schedule + spot bet: Feeling the schedule crunch
The Bengals’ 2025 calendar ranks middle of the road in terms of strength, but the layout offers some sore spots.
The team’s bad habit of starting slow could be compounded by three road games in the first four weeks. That stretch morphs into a slog of four games in 17 days, thanks to a Monday nighter at Denver in Week 4 and a Thursday home date versus Pittsburgh in Week 6.
After a bye in Week 10, the Bengals play three of four games away from home — all of which coming versus very strong defenses (Pittsburgh, New England, Buffalo and Baltimore).
Should Cincy survive that, the table is set for another strong finish. The Bengals visit Miami then host Arizona and Cleveland — all as favorites — in the final three games.
Spot bet: Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh (TNF) -4.5
As mentioned, the schedule makers jam four games into a 17-day window for the Bengals.
A showdown with Pittsburgh in Week 7 puts Cincinnati in a nasty spot on Thursday Night Football. It comes back home on the short week after playing three of the previous four games on the road.
The Steelers’ defense is always a handful, and Mike Tomlin might as well have a suite named after him inside Paycor Stadium after boasting a 14-4 SU and 12-5-1 ATS career record at Cincinnati.
Let Joe throw
| Market | |
|---|---|
| Win MVP | +600 |
| Lead NFL in Passing Yards | +500 |
| Over 4199.5 Passing Yards | -110 |
| Under 4199.5 Passing Yards | -110 |
| Over 33.5 Touchdown Passes | -115 |
| Under 33.5 Touchdown Passes | -105 |
Joe Burrow best bet: Lead NFL in Passing Yards (+500)
Burrow may not match his incredible output of 2024 but the situations that led to those number will remain the same for the Bengals superstar QB.
As long as the defense is a dud, Cincinnati will have to scratch and claw for victories. While contemporaries like Allen, Jackson and Mahomes are killing the clock with handoffs in the second half, Burrow will be letting it rip as he tries to outgun every opponent until the final whistle.
Season-long projections put Burrow at the top of the passing yards table, forecasted between 4,600 and 4,800 yards through the air.
Cincinnati Bengals trend: Road chalk
The Bengals have been one of the best bets when giving points since 2020, covering at 60% as favorites. Make Cincy lay points on the road, and that cover rate soars to 68% in the past five years.
Last season, the Bengals were road favorites six times, walking out of those opposing stadiums with an undefeated record and a 5-1 mark against the spread.
Look-ahead lines have Burrow & Co. as road chalk just three times in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals as road favorites
- Week 1 at Cleveland -5.5
- Week 11 at Pittsburgh -1.5
- Week 16 at Miami -1.5
More NFL team previews
Want to see Jason's forecast for the rest of the NFL? Check out all of his NFL team previews below!
| Bills | Ravens | Texans | Broncos |
| Dolphins | Bengals | Colts | Chiefs |
| Patriots | Browns | Jaguars | Raiders |
| Jets | Steelers | Titans | Chargers |
| Cowboys | Bears | Falcons | Cardinals |
| Giants | Lions | Panthers | Rams |
| Eagles | Packers | Saints | 49ers |
| Commanders | Vikings | Buccaneers | Seahawks |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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