The New England Patriots will begin a new era this weekend. Bill Belichick is out after 24 seasons as the Patriots head coach. Jerod Mayo will take over the job. Cincinnati’s 2023 plans were derailed after Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending ligament tear in his right wrist. They’ll look to return to their 12-4 form of 2022 where they made it to the AFC conference championship game. Now let’s take a look at the New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals predictions and preview.
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals Predictions and Preview
Patriots (+9.5) at Bengals (-9.5) Game Preview
This game has the biggest spread of the entire NFL Week 1 slate. The Cincinnati Bengals are projected to win 10.5 games in 2024. The New England Patriots join the Carolina Panthers as the only two teams who aren’t projected to be favored in any of their games this year, their win total however sits at 4.5.
Joe Burrow remains on the injury report with that wrist injury, he is ready to go for Sunday’s game though. Ja’Marr Chase remains the biggest question for the Bengals, the star wide receiver has been holding out of camp (well sort of) as he seeks a new contract extension. Will he play on Sunday, or won’t he? That question remains to be answered.
Chase’s wide receiver running mate Tee Higgins has been added to the injury report with a hamstring injury on Thursday. Higgins has been quoted as saying he feels “amazing” and will play on Sunday.
The Patriots have elected to start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback over rookie number three overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Drake Maye. Brissett’s veteran experience likely gives the Patriots a better chance at staying closer in games like this one.
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals Predictions and Preview
Patriots at Bengals Best Bets
Patriots +9.5 (-112)
It’s very clear these two teams are in different positions in where their franchises stand at the moment. For the Bengals its dreams of Super Bowl wins and playoff expectations. The Patriots are transitioning coaches and working towards transitioning to what they hope is their long-term future franchise quarterback.
9.5 is a big number to lay in the NFL. Cincinatti hasn’t exactly been quick starters over the last few years either. They are 0-2 against the spread in Week 1 the last two years and just 1-4 ATS over the last five seasons.
The Patriots will need to slow this game down and not turn it into a shootout. If they can do that, and get one big play from their defense which should be a good unit, they can keep this game close and get the 9.5-point cover.
Chase Brown Over 2.5 Receptions
Joe Mixon has moved on to the Houston Texans and Chase Brown and Zach Moss will split the duties of running back for the Bengals. With questions around Ja’Marr Chase’s availability, and Tee Higgins’s health, Joe Burrow is going to need somewhere to throw the ball. Brown proved in his rookie season he can be explosive catching the ball out of the backfield.
The Bengals turned to him more and more as the season went on. In Weeks 14-18, Brown had 11 targets, catching 10 of those 11 targets with his sure hands. This should be a key part of the Bengals offense in Week 1.
