The Panthers (2-6) head into the Queen City for an interconference clash against the Bengals (4-4), with each team coming off difficult Week 8 losses.
Carolina is playing hard for interim coach Steve Wilks, most recently exemplified by their 37-34 overtime loss to the Falcons on Sunday. Meanwhile, the unsteady defending AFC champions have a major injury concern in the form of Ja’Marr Chase (hip), whose absence was clearly felt in Cincinnati’s 32-13 loss to the Browns on Monday night.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our Carolina vs Cincinnati best bets, predictions, and betting tips for Week 9.
Panthers vs Bengals Odds
The Bengals’ status as seven-point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday afternoon despite the uncertainty surrounding Chase isn’t altogether surprising, although it’s worth noting the number shrunk from an open of -9 following Week 8 outcomes for these teams.
The low-40s projected total also isn’t completely surprising, as, in addition to another likely Chase absence, confidence in Carolina’s P.J. Walker‘s ability to move the ball consistently against a quality defense like Cincy’s is rightfully low.
Take a look at the best Panthers odds and Bengals odds for the 2022 NFL season.
All odds are current as of noon ET on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Bengals Implied Totals
Bengals 24.75, Panthers 17.75
It’s evident oddsmakers feel the Bengals, even sans Chase, can move the ball a fair amount and make better adjustments in their air attack during what would be their second game without their star wideout.
Meanwhile, they also clearly envision some struggles for Walker and his teammates against a solid Cincinnati defense, albeit one that will be down top cornerback Chidobe Awuzie the rest of the way due to the torn ACL he suffered Monday night.
Panthers vs Bengals Pick of the Day
Read more on this Panthers vs Bengals bet below.
Panthers vs Bengals Prediction
Bengals 27, Panthers 14
The Bengals’ Joe Burrow found life without the deep threat of Chase considerably unsavory Monday night against the Browns, with the defense only really having to worry about Tee Higgins as a deep threat. Factoring in Cincy’s shaky offensive line giving up another five sacks, and you had a meager 13-point output for the defending AFC champs.
However, even with a short week and another likely Chase absence, the Bengals are back in the comfort of their home stadium and should also have a better grip on how to navigate their top target’s absence.
The fact Carolina is tied for the second-lowest adjusted sack rate (4.7%) per Football Outsiders should also be a boon for Burrow’s outlook, considering what he was able to do against the team with the lowest figure in that category, the Falcons, back in Week 7.
That alone should make a seismic difference in the performance of Cincinnati’s offense as a whole against a Panthers defense that undeniably has some talented pieces, but is still prone to breakdowns. By the numbers, Carolina’s defense doesn’t exactly shape up as an intimidating unit, allowing 127 rushing yards per road game and 254.7 passing yards per contest in the last three games overall despite having faced Marcus Mariota in Week 8.
Atlanta was able to average eight yards per pass play against the Panthers with a mostly rag-tag group of wideouts with the exception of Drake London, and even with just Higgins and Tyler Boyd as reliable every-down options, Burrow has the talent to outpace that figure.
Then, Joe Mixon, who was limited to eight carries by game script Monday night but had come in averaging 4.6 yards per rush in his previous three contests, could certainly have his moments against a defense that gives up 4.4 RB yards per carry and ranks No. 19 in open-field yards allowed.
On the other side, Walker, who put together his first career 300-yard game against the Falcons, is likely to have a difficult time against a Cincinnati defense that went into Monday night allowing the lowest completion percentage in the league.
Walker has benefited greatly from the play of running back D’Onta Foreman in the last two games, as well. However, the bruiser, as well as backfield mate Chuba Hubbard (ankle) if he’s available, will have an uphill climb versus a Bengals D that’s yielded a stingy 4.1 RB yards per carry and 3.7 yards per rush attempt at home overall.
The Panthers will put up a fight in trademark fashion here and could certainly leverage what might be a bit of fatigue on the part of Cincinnati to hang close for a while, but the home squad wins by double digits when it’s all said and done.
Panthers vs Bengals Bet Tips
Here are some Panthers vs Bengals betting trends to consider before placing your bets:
- The Panthers are 3-5 against the spread, including 1-2 as a road team.
- The Bengals are 5-3 against the spread, including 2-1 as a home team.
- The Over is a combined 5-10-1 in the two teams’ games thus far this season.
- Carolina is 0-7 straight up in its last seven road games.
- The Under has hit in 10 of the Bengals’ last 13 games.
Panthers vs Bengals Best Bets
Bengals -7 (-110)
The Bengals should be in a good position to progressively create some distance between themselves and a Panthers team that will undoubtedly take the fight to them early. However, Cincy’s superior talent should eventually overcome the rest disadvantage and key absences for a double-digit victory.
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Bengals Moneyline & Under 42.5 Total Points (+150)
Having already made a case for a Bengals win straight up, I like the idea of circumventing the massive -330 moneyline price by combining it with the Under.
As mentioned earlier, the Under has consistently hit in both these teams’ games, and the short week and the Chase absence should also temper Cincy’s overall firepower when it has the ball.
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Panthers vs Bengals Props
Check out the best Panthers vs Bengals player prop bets this week with our props comparison tool. Click on the Carolina vs Cincinnati game below to see all of its prop bets.