Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, 9/30/12, 4:05 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Cincinnati -2.5
Current Betting Line: Cincinnati -2.5
Opening Total: 41.5
Current Total: 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Cincinnati has picked up a pair of hard-fought wins against the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, as the team has recovered from a 44-13 blowout loss to open the season in Baltimore. “We’re a work in progress, by no means a finished product,” commented Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Even with the last two victories, it’s important to note that the defense isn’t playing anywhere near the No. 7 ranking it garnered a season ago. Cincinnati is 5-6 ATS as a favorite over the last two-plus seasons, with the “over” going 9-4 in that situation.
The Bengals are 7-11 all-time against the Jaguars, including a 2-7 mark when playing in the Sunshine State. Cincinnati did manage to come away with a 30-20 win in last year’s meeting as one-point road favorites, but were out-gained by 57 yards. Sports bettors need to be aware that the Bengals scored on the game’s final play, which was a Jaguars completion with multiple laterals in the final seconds. Quarterback Andy Dalton has been getting it done through the air, completing 65 of 95 passes for 867 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jacksonville is focused on trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2010, while also evening its record to .500 after four games for the fourth time in five games. Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is starting to get his legs under him after missing the preseason due to a contract dispute, ranking second in the league with 314 rushing yards. He has gained 118 yards on 29 carries in two meetings with the Bengals in his career. Jacksonville is 19-7 ATS off a road win against a division rival since the 1996 campaign.
The Jaguars really need quarterback Blaine Gabbert to take a step forward, as he ranks 19th in the league with a passer rating of 85.8, but that’s nowhere near where Dalton ranks with a 105 mark. Jacksonville wide receiver Justin Blackmon has been unable to help the passing game, something the franchise envisioned when taking him in the first round, as he has caught four passes in three games.
Sports bettors will likely back the Jaguars due to their 4-1 ATS record in the last five games, while the Bengals are 0-7-2 ATS in their last nine tries versus AFC foes.
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