2021 NFL Betting and Fantasy Team Preview: Cincinnati Bengals
Be sure to check out all the great sports betting, fantasy football, and DFS content available on RotoGrinders leading up to kickoff. We’ll be covering fantasy football with rankings and projections, DFS preseason with RotoGrinders Premium, and sports betting at RG and ScoresAndOdds.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Betting Preview
Win Total (over):6.5 (120)
Games Favored:2
Games as a TD Favorite:0
Games as a TD Underdog:6
While I expect the Bengals offense to put up strong numbers provided the main pieces stay healthy (Burrow, Mixon, etc) I don’t necessarily expect big offensive production to convert into wins. As opposed to betting on Cincinnati’s win total, I prefer betting on some long-shot prop bets like Joe Burrow to lead the league in passing yards (+2500) based on Zac Taylor’s willingness to play up-tempo and throw the ball at a high rate.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Projections Preview
Projected Offense Rank:18
Projected Rush Offense Rating: Below Average
Projected Pass Offense Rating: Average
Projected Points Earned:387 (Rank 21)
Rushing Opponents:
Projected Difficult Rush Defenses Faced:11
Projected Soft Rush Defenses Faced:3
Passing Opponents:
Projected Difficult Pass Defenses Faced:6
Projected Soft Pass Defenses Faced:7
Team Defense Rank:31
Projected Rush Defense Rating:Weak
Projected Pass Defense Rating:Weak
Projected Points Allowed:437.5 (Rank 4)
After grading out as a bottom 10 defense in the league last season, the Bengals project to be similarly bad defensively in 2021. Negative game scripts combined with Taylor’s propensity to throw the ball at a high rate combined with a schedule significantly more favorable to throwing the ball and we could be looking at video game numbers for Joe Burrow and his receiving corps this season.
Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Football Preview
Noteworthy Depth Chart
QB: Joe Burrow – Underdog Rank: QB13 (ADP QB10)
RB: Joe Mixon – Underdog Rank: RB8 (ADP RB12)
RB: Samaje Perine – Underdog Rank: RB66 (ADP RB64)
WR: Tee Higgins – Underdog Rank: WR18 (ADP WR22)
WR:Ja’Marr Chase – Underdog Rank: WR23 (ADP WR21)
WR: Tyler Boyd – Underdog Rank: WR32 (ADP WR37)
TE: C.J. Uzomah – Underdog Rank: TE27 (ADP TE34)
What’s New?: Ja’Marr Chase, No Giovani Bernard – The absence of Giovani Bernard is possibly the most fantasy-relevant thing to happen to this Bengals offense in the offseason. Bernard’s absence means more third-down opportunities for Joe Mixon. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was quoted as saying he doesn’t want Joe Mixon to leave the field on third down this season, which means more pass-game potential for Mixon who could be utilized as one of the few bellcow backs left in the NFL.
What’s Uncertain?: Offensive line. While many people thought the Bengals would look to improve their poor offensive line play in this year’s draft, they instead provided Burrow with another weapon by drafting his former teammate Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick. Now the question is if the OL will hold up well enough to allow Burrow to take full advantage of his stacked weaponry.
Top Fantasy Play(s): Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd