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Edgar Chaput
Bengals vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Cincinnati opened its August campaign at home in Week 1 with a contest against the post-Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers. It didn’t go so well, as Green Bay waltzed its way to a 36-19 victory. As for Atlanta, it had an easier time down in Miami versus the Dolphins. A shutdown performance on defence paved the way to a 19-3 win.
Atlanta is awarded status as the favourite on the NFL odds. What’s more, it’s by a considerable amount for a preseason bout at -6.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
When considering the five most recent meetings between these intraconference foes, Cincy has taken three of them, the most recent three in fact. Last year, led by superstar Joe Burrow at QB, the Bengals trounced the Falcons 35-17 at home.
With only one game played so far this summer, Cincinnati is 0-1 against the spread. They were a +4.5 underdog against Green Bay but lost by much, much more. Enough points were scored, mostly by the Packers, for the over to cover.
Atlanta’s tilt in Miami more closely resembled what fans generally get with August football. Low scoring, with a lot of new guys or perennial backups trying to make plays. As such, the under won the day. Since the Falcons were +2.0 underdogs and earned the win, they’re 1-0 ATS.
Cincinnati Bengals
No one expected Joe Burrow (nursing an injury), Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon and the gang to be anywhere near the football field in Week 1. Thus it was an opportunity to put the second and even third stringers in against the visiting Packers.
If anything, Week 1 demonstrated that the Bengals need to spruce up their defence. The ease with which Green Bay marched down the field multiple times was alarming, even in the context of a preseason outing. The unit coughed up a dreadful 183 on the ground. Conversely, the hosts only tallied 66 via three ball carriers (Chris Evans led with 49 on seven touches). Rookie Jake Browning was sent in as QB for much of the first half and was a decent 10-for-19 and 95 yards, but tossed a pick as well. Journeyman Trevor Siemian took over in quarters three and four and was his usual self, i.e. not a disaster but kind of forgettable.
Cincy wasn’t very disciplined either, tallying 10 fouls for 95 yards. Time to put a 36-19 behind them.
Atlanta Falcons
As alluded to in the betting analysis section, Atlanta’s game against Miami resembled what we see a lot of in August NFL football. A lot of fourth down and fourth and goal attempts (because why not?), and a close but low-scoring affair that went 19-3 to the Falcons.
Ironically, despite scoring only three points off a field goal, it was the Dolphins who outgained the Falcons 317 to 227. But five sacks by Atlanta’s defence and great outings from 2023 draftee safety DeMarco Hellams (seven tackles) and fifth-year linebacker Tae David (six tackles) paved the way for a very impressive ensemble performance. Logan Woodside was the lone QB for Atlanta. He didn’t do too much but was modestly efficient, going 14-for-23 and 146 yards. Then again, he didn’t need to wow anyone given that former Seahawks RB Godwin Igwebuikje went for 70 yards on 13 carries and scored a slick touchdown in the red zone.
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ATL