Packers vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Bengals are 4.5-point underdogs on the NFL odds without starting QB Joe Burrow.
NFL Pre-Season Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams don’t meet in the 2023 regular season, and I think it’s fair to say they will not meet in the Super Bowl next February, either. Cincinnati might get there for the second time in three seasons if Joe Burrow is healthy, but Green Bay surely won’t come close after trading four-time MVP and quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason to the New York Jets.
The franchises haven’t played in the preseason since 2012 and the last regular-season matchup was in 2021 with Green Bay winning 25-22 in overtime at Cincinnati in Week 5. Rodgers threw for 344 yards and two TDs, while Davante Adams (now with Raiders) caught 10 passes for 206 yards and a TD. Burrow threw for 281 yards, two TDs and two picks.
Packers kicker Mason Crosby had a very memorable day, missing three straight potential winning field-goal attempts before hitting a 49-yarder in overtime to win. The Pack didn’t try to re-sign their long-time kicker this offseason despite a good 2022 campaign. They can save money at the position with sixth-round rookie Anders Carlson.
The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings.
Green Bay Packers
The big question is how long new starting QB Jordan Love will play in the exhibition opener (if at all). Sure, he could use the reps but Love has seen plenty of exhibition action so far and has only started one in the regular season. Aaron Rodgers hadn’t played in the preseason since 2018, but he was obviously on a very different level at that point in his career than Love is. Fifth-round rookie Sean Clifford and reigning USFL MVP Alex McGough are currently behind Love and they definitely need work, too, as they battle for the No. 2 job. Star defender Rashan Gary was activated off the PUP list Monday but won’t see any exhibition action. Green Bay is 3-7 straight up in preseason games under Coach Matt LaFleur and 3-7 against the spread.
Cincinnati Bengals
Few teams in the NFL are more set at quarterback for the next decade-plus than the Bengals and former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, who already is likely a Top 5 QB in the league. His agent and the team are still negotiating his first contract extension, which should make Burrow the highest-paid player in league history. The only worry with him is injury. Burrow missed nearly half his rookie year with a serious knee injury and will miss this entire preseason with a calf strain. He barely played in the 2022 preseason due to appendicitis. Coach Zac Taylor generally is in the “sit starters” camp when it comes to these games. One key job to note is No. 2 running back behind Joe Mixon. Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans and rookie Chase Brown are competing, but Williams is now hurt and will miss this game. Jonah Williams and Jackson Carman are still battling for the starting offensive right tackle spot. The Bengals are 3-7 SU and 5-5 ATS in the preseason under Taylor.
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