It’s a matchup of winless teams Sunday – one surprisingly so – from Philadelphia when the Eagles host rookie No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Philly is a 6.5-point favourite on the NFL odds with a total of 46.5.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Cincinnati was the worst team in the NFL last year at 2-14 so it’s not much of a shock that the Bengals are 0-2. It definitely is a surprise that the defending NFC East champion Eagles are as well. The good news for them is that their division is so weak overall it only might take seven wins to claim it again. Every team in the division has a negative point differential and it took a miracle on Sunday for the division-favoured Dallas Cowboys to avoid a 0-2 start.

The Eagles have failed to cover the spread in nine straight meetings vs. the Bengals dating to 1988. The teams most recently played in 2016 in Cincinnati and the Bengals won 32-14. Andy Dalton – now a backup in Dallas – was Cincinnati’s starting QB then and threw for 332 yards and two TDs without a pick. The Bengals scored on each of their first six possessions for a 29-0 lead. Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz attempted a whopping 60 passes, completing 36 for 308 yards with three interceptions.

In the race to 10 points Sunday, the Eagles are -179 and Bengals +140. To score first, Philly is -175 and Cincinnati +130. That the team which scores first wins is -185 with no at +145.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati has lost its two games by only eight points, although the Bengals weren’t ever really close to winning last Thursday in Cleveland, which prevailed 35-30. Burrow certainly showed he’s the real deal by setting an NFL rookie record with 37 completions. He put it up a crazy 61 times and threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Even LeBron James tweeted his admiration of Burrow during the game.

While Burrow was a bright spot, Cincinnati’s run defence continues to be an issue. It was terrible last year and was gashed for 215 yards vs. Cleveland. Pro Bowl Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins has yet to play this season due to injury, and he would certainly help. The Browns gained 131 rushing yards after first contact. That was the most in an NFL game since at least 2009. The Bengals also got some bad news when top tight end CJ Uzomah went down with an injury. It was a torn Achilles’ tendon and Uzomah’s season is over. The Bengals are 9-4 ATS in their past 13 road games.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia is one of the toughest sports towns in the USA. When the fans are on a player’s side, it’s a terrific place to play. However, those same fans can turn on a guy quickly. I’m not saying that’s happening yet to quarterback Carson Wentz but there are definitely murmurs that some fans want Coach Doug Pederson to bench the struggling Wentz for second-round rookie Jalen Hurts. He finished second to Burrow in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting.

Wentz threw two picks in a Week 1 shocking loss at Washington and had two more – with no TD passes – in this past Sunday’s 37-19 home thumping at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. Wentz’s QB rating of 64.4 through two games is second-worst in the league. It’s not all on Wentz as his injury-ravaged offensive line has been a problem. That group lost another player Sunday as left guard Isaac Seumalo will be placed on injured reserve. The Eagles are 4-10 ATS in their past 14 as home favourites.

Who Will Win Bengals vs. Eagles?