Chargers vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Fresh off a 15-0 championship season with the LSU Tigers, Burrow will look to bring his winning pedigree to Ohio after the Bengals went 2-14 in 2019¬–20.
Visiting Burrow and the Bengals are the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coming off a disappointing 5-11 season — their worst record since relocating to Los Angeles in 2017.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bengals are 6-1 ATS in their last seven contests against the Chargers, but a lot has changed with both franchises since their last meeting in 2018. Neither team is coming in with recent success too. The Chargers have dropped six of their last seven, the Bengals 16 of their last 18.
Although Los Angeles is travelling out east, oddsmakers have the spread listed as Chargers -3. There is also a 50 percent chance of showers during this game.
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles wasn’t the only team to pick a quarterback in the first round of last year’s draft. The Bolts selected Oregon’s Justin Herbert sixth overall, but it’s free agent signing Tyrod Taylor’s offence for now.
Taylor, a 10-year veteran in the NFL, has shown glimpses of promise but hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2017 with Buffalo. He’s got some tools to work with in 1,000-yard receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, along with breakout Austin Ekeler — a terrific pass-catching running back.
Los Angeles was a middle of the pack defence in 2019–20, highlighted by a secondary that ranked fifth-best in the NFL in terms of passing yards per game. The Chargers added veteran cornerback Chris Harris in the offseason, but will be without All-Pro safety Derwin James who suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals ranked 30th in points per game (17.4) in 2019, so they’re hoping Burrow can quickly turn things around. Burrow isn’t the only big “addition” to the Bengals offence as seven-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green is back after missing all of 2019 with an ankle injury.
Green, back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver Tyler Boyd, speedster John Ross, and rookie Tee Higgins complete Burrow’s cast of receivers that could surprise some people early. Running back Joe Mixon, who is also coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, is back for Cincy too.
The Bengals had a mediocre defence in 2019, struggling heavily against the run. They gave up a league-worst 148.9 rushing yards per game, and didn’t make major improvements in the offseason. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader and linebacker Josh Bynes are among new starters, but the jury’s still out.
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