Cincinnati Bengals @ NY Jets NFL Week 1 Pick

Cincinnati Bengals @ NY Jets Week 1 NFL Betting Preview

Written by on July 1, 2016

There are no such thing as sure picks when it comes to sportsbetting, so let’s put that out there first. But, of all the NFL Week 1 lines available at sportsbooks like Mybookie.ag right now, my favorite is Cincinnati giving just 1.5 points at the New York Jets for their season opener at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Cincinnati Bengals @ NY Jets Week NFL Betting Preview

First off, the Jets right now have Geno Smith as their starting quarterback. But most people expect the Jets to finally come to a contract agreement with last year’s starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Reportedly the Jets offered Fitzpatrick a three-year deal with a total contract value of $24 million. Fitzpatrick apparently is offended by that. He does come off the best season of his career, but there’s also a reason why he has been a journeyman. The Jets need to get something done by the start of training camp next month or simply anoint Smith as the starter. Remember, he was going to be the starter last season before his jaw was broken during training camp thanks a sucker punch from a former teammate. If the Jets had an elite quarterback, even a top-10 quarterback — they would be a Super Bowl contender with two very good receivers and an elite defense. But that defense will be missing one of its best players against the Bengals. Tackle Sheldon Richardson was suspended by the NFL on Thursday for the first game for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. Richardson pleaded guilty in January to resisting arrest after leading police on a high-speed chase in July 2015. He avoided jail time but was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. Richardson will be eligible to return to the Jets roster on Sept. 12 and is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. Considering that Richardson was driving at 143 mph, attempted to avoid arrest, and had a 12-year-old relative in the car, a one-game suspension seems like a pretty light punishment. At the time, police said there was an odor of marijuana in the car but the defensive lineman was not charged with any drug-related offenses. This is the second consecutive year Richardson will begin the regular season with a suspension. Last year Richardson missed the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse program. He played 11 games and finished with a career-low 35 tackles, in addition to five sacks. But the year before, Richardson had 66 tackles, eight sacks and a forced fumble. Richardson was named to the Pro Bowl. The defensive line is the strength of the Jets’ defense, but that area is suddenly getting thin. Damon Harrison left in the offseason to sign with the Giants. Muhammad Wilkerson is in a stalemate with the team over contract talks and hasn’t signed his franchise tender. He might hold out into the season. The Bengals have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL with QB Andy Dalton, receiver A.J. Green, tight end Tyler Eifert and running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard. The Jets and Bengals didn’t play in 2015. Cincinnati won the most recent meeting 49-9 at home on Oct. 27, 2013.

Expert Betting Prediction

This score won’t be as lopsided as that 2013 game , but the Bengals will cover the NFL betting line and win by at least a field goal if not more.