The New York Jets will still be seeking their first win of the season when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.
As hapless as New York has been, its defense has stood out over the past couple weeks, and I’m betting on that effort to keep it close enough to cover the spread in my early Jets vs. Bengals predictions.
Keep reading to see where I think bettors should be leaning in my free NFL picks for Sunday, October 26.
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Jets vs Bengals predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Jets vs Bengals spread pick Jets +6.5
The New York Jets have arguably been the worst team in the NFL this season. They're the only remaining winless team, and have shown almost no spark on offense over the last couple weeks.
However, there are a couple reasons for bettors to continue paying attention to New York. The Jets are 3-1 against the spread as an underdog of at least a field goal this year, and have only lost two of their five games by more than seven points.
In particular, we’ve seen New York show up on the defensive end over the past two weeks. In consecutive games, the Jets have allowed exactly 13 points to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. Even if that hasn’t been enough to win games, it does make it hard for New York to get blown out.
If this were the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals, I’d think they could overcome this and score enough to put this game away early. But with Joe Flacco at the helm, the Jets will make life hard for Cincy.
While it might still lose, it should at least be another close game for New York.
Early Jets vs Bengals total pick: Under 43.5
With the Jets having been great defensively and utterly inept on offense over the past two weeks, you won’t be surprised to find they hit the Under in both games.
That’s despite the best efforts of bookmakers, who set last week’s total at 39.5 points — only to see a 13-6 final score come in well under that.
The Bengals have missed Burrow, but their biggest issue has been on defense, where Cincinnati is allowing 30.6 ppg.
We can’t expect the Jets to get anywhere near that total, however: After a promising 32-point outburst against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, New York has averaged only 16.2 ppg in its last six games.
Cincinnati found some offensive success last week against the Steelers, scoring 33 points in its last-second win. However, that came after a four-game stretch in which the Bengals were averaging just 13.8 ppg.
I’m not sold on this offensive moving the ball consistently with Flacco behind center, especially against a defense playing as well as New York’s. With no certainty about where points will come from, I’m backing the Under.
Jets vs Bengals odds
- Jets vs. Bengals spread: Bengals -6.5
- Jets vs. Bengals moneyline: Jets +250, Bengals -320
- Jets vs. Bengals Over/Under: 43.5
How to watch Jets vs Bengals
- Jets vs. Bengals matchup
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
- City: Cincinnati, OH
- Venue: Paycor Stadium
- TV: CBS
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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