Cincinnati is averaging an incredible 34 points through two games, but is a modest underdog against the host Panthers, who will look to rebound after dropping a 31-24 decision to the rival Atlanta Falcons last time out. It’s the first meeting between the teams since their incredible 37-37 tie back in 2014.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Oddsmakers see these teams as evenly matched heading into their first encounter in four years, giving the Panthers the three-point bump by virtue of having home-field advantage. And Carolina has been a sensational cover option as a slight home fave, having gone 12-3-1 ATS in their previous 16 games when giving between 1 and 3 points at Bank of America Stadium. But the Bengals have been historically up to the challenge on the other side of the ledger, having gone an incredible 15-4-1 ATS in their last 20 games as a road underdog of between 1-3.

The modest total of 43.5 suggests that books have more confidence in Carolina’s usually stout defence than in the Bengals’ suddenly surging offence. The Panthers have played consecutive home unders following a stretch of five overs in a six-game regular-season span, while the Bengals have gone above the total in four straight games following a straight-up victory. The good news for Cincinnati fans: the Bengals have scored 30+ points in back-to-back road games. The bad: It had happened just once in the team’s previous 17 games away from Cinci.

Cincinnati Bengals

The key to the Bengals’ success starts with that Andy Dalton-A.J. Green connection, but there are two other factors working in Cincinnati’s favour. First, the Bengals have a solid ground game led by Joe Mixon, who ranks second in the league in rushing yards with 179. Cincinnati also has a strong secondary receiver to line up opposite Green in Tyler Boyd, who has nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. The Bengals have won four of their previous five road games against NFC South opponents while going 1-4 O/U over that stretch.

Carolina Panthers

Many wondered how the Panthers would distribute their passing targets with tight end and football magnet Greg Olsen out indefinitely with a broken foot. The answer, for last week at least, resided in the waiting arms of running back Christian McCaffrey, who hauled in a whopping 14 receptions for 102 yards in the loss to Atlanta. No. 1 wide receiver Devin Funchess was the other beneficiary, turning nine targets in to seven catches for 77 yards. Carolina has gone 5-1 ATS in its last six regular-season home games, including two SU wins as an underdog.

Bengals vs. Panthers Prediction