NFL Lines: Bengals vs Patriots Week 1 Predictions

Two division champions from 2009 will open NFL week 1 predictions with playoff aspirations as the New England Patriots host the Cincinnati Bengals in a key AFC match-up in week 1. Kick-off on CBS is scheduled for 1:05pm EST and online sportsbooks have opened with New England as a 4-point favorite in NFL lines with a total of 45. There continue to be many skeptics about the Bengals chances to repeat as AFC North champions as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers garner most of the public attention in NFL betting but the Bengals are improved, particularly on offense, as they have considerably more depth with the addition of Terrell Owens and rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham.

The off-season additions will surely help free up Chad Ochocinco, who was always double, if not triple teamed last year. Cedric Benson gives Cincy a highly viable alternative on the ground as well. “We’ve got a very good corps,” said quarterback Carson Palmer. New England has been a perennial Super Bowl contender in NFL lines for the past decade but suffered an alarming 33-14 home playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens last year, which caused head coach Bill Belichick to go with a roster makeover that emphasized youth. The challenge will now be to win while developing the new personnel.

“We’ll find out here in a few weeks where we’re at,” said Belichick. “As far as an installation schedule and things like that, we have a lot of things installed.” Rookies Brandon Spikes (linebacker) and Devin McCourty (cornerback) could start in NFL week 1 predictions and second year defensive backs Patrick Chung and Darius Butler will also have key roles. The Patriots have covered the spread in NFL lines for their last 2 match-ups with the Bengals as 3 of the last 4 games between the teams have gone over the total. New England has beaten the odds in just 1 out of their last 5 games as a favorite while Cincinnati has gone 12-8 against the spread as an underdog.