Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
Rejoice, Bengals fans. Sports betting is finally legal in Ohio, and a number of online sportsbooks – DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM to name just a few – will launch their operations in the Buckeye State on January 1, 2023.
Since we’re approaching the end of the NFL regular season and heading toward the playoffs, let’s take a look at how Ohio residents can bet on last year’s AFC Champion, the Cincinnati Bengals.
How to Bet on Cincinnati Bengals Futures
Cincinnati Bengals AFC North Championship Odds
After a rough start to the season, the Bengals quickly fell behind the Baltimore Ravens in the race for the AFC North crown. Joe Burrow and company recovered, however. The Bengals and Ravens have remained neck-and-neck throughout most of the year with Cincinnati emerging as the favorite as we enter the home stretch. The Bengals have gotten healthier as the season has moved along, while the Ravens are without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for several games for the second consecutive season.
Cincinnati Bengals AFC Championship Odds
The Cincinnati Bengals’ AFC Championship odds currently sit at +550, good for third-best in the conference. They trail only the Chiefs and Bills and have emerged as a clear third contender, with the next-highest odds belonging to the aforementioned Ravens all the way down at +1200. The Bengals’ AFC Championship odds were +1100 as recently as late October, so sportsbooks believe that Cincinnati has made significant strides in recent weeks.
Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Odds
The Bengals’ Super Bowl odds have gotten shorter and shorter all season, as their high-powered offense has seemingly returned to the form that led the team all the way to the Super Bowl last season. While Cincinnati has garnered a little bit more respect this season, oddsmakers still have five or six teams slotted ahead of the reigning AFC champions, with the Bengals’ odds to win the Super Bowl coming in around +1000.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Awards
Joe Burrow is the Bengals’ best chance for representation via personal awards, with the star quarterback currently having the fourth-highest odds to win the MVP at +1500. However, Burrow is still a longshot considering Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes both have odds shorter than +200.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting History
Unsurprisingly, the 2021-22 season in which the Bengals won the AFC and nearly the Super Bowl was one of the most miraculous seasons in team history. Cincinnati was as high as 25-1 to win the AFC North and a ridiculous 80-1 underdog to win the AFC Championship heading into last season. They remarkably cashed those tickets for some very fortunate bettors despite having a preseason win total of just 6.5.
Prior to last season, the Bengals hadn’t won the division since 2012 and hadn’t won a single playoff game since 1990. The futures market was extremely dry for a couple decades for Cincinnati, but it looks to be trending upward with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase leading the way.
