Cincinnati Bengals: What to make of betting odds for Week 1 vs. Vikings

Diehard, over-enthusiastically positive Cincinnati Bengals fans have an opportunity to put their money where their Twitter fingers are. According to WynnBet, the Bengals are three-point underdogs to the Minnesota Vikings.

First, this is a great bet if you are a believer in the Bengals. In the gambling parlance, three points are attributed to the home team. That would equate to a six-point loss on a neutral field. Take Wembley Stadium as an example.

Second, if you are a believer in Zac Taylor, this is a big week for you. Sunday’s matchup features a Taylor-made offense against a Mike Zimmer-led defense. It is a great opportunity for Taylor to start changing the minds of those who question his capacity as an offensive play-caller. If the Bengals can score 30 points (or close to it), that will go a long way in showing naysayers what a Taylor-led offense can become.

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings have one of, if not the best wide receiver duos in all of football. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are going to be a handful to deal with. Throw in rookie Ihmir Smith Marsette and speedy veteran K.J. Osborn, and you can count on the Viking receivers giving the Bengals secondary all it can handle.

But you should expect Cincinnati’s improved pass rush to help out by providing pressure on the quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

Furthermore, WynnBet has the over/under total points at 48. Again, this is an opportunity to win some cash if you believe in a Taylor-made offense. To offer some perspective, 48 points is the sixth-highest total for this weekend’s slate. Obviously, Wynnbet is counting on a high-scoring game.

The revamped Bengals defense may have different ideas in store.

If you are a Bengals fan who is sure of this team and coaching staff, this week’s betting line could be one of the best bets out there.

If you are counting on the Bengals finding a path to winning 10 games or just hitting the season over at 6.5 wins, Sunday’s game is an important one.

It is also a good time to get in on the action. Responsibly, of course.