The Cincinnati Bengals will host the Green Bay Packers for Week 1 of the NFL Preseason on Friday, August 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET while airing on NFL Network. The Packers enter this game as 4.5-point favorites with the total set at 35.
How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Bengals vs. Packers predictions for NFL Preseason Week 1 below.
Bengals vs. Packers Odds
- Spread: Packers -4.5
- Total: 35
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. New to DraftKings? Check out our DraftKings Sportsbook Review to find out how to Bet $5 and Get $200 in bonus bets.
Game Info
- Date: Friday, August 11
- Time: 7 pm ET
- Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- TV: NFL Network
Bengals Betting Trends
- The Bengals went 1-2 in the preseason last year.
- Since joining Cincinnati, head coach Zac Taylor is 3-7 in the preseason.
Packers Betting Trends
- The Packers went 1-2 in the preseason last year.
- Over the last two years, the Packers are 1-5 in the preseason.
Bengals vs. Packers Predictions
It looks like Green Bay will play starting QB Jordan Love and the starters a few series, while Cincinnati is not expected to be with guys like QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase.
That explains why the Packers are favored by 4.5 points in this contest.
Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning will duel for Cincinnati’s backup quarterback spot behind Burrow.
Essentially this comes down to whether or not you think that the Packers playing their starters for a couple of drives will make a big impact on the game. This spread opened with Green Bay favored by 2 to 2.5 points. Then Taylor announced that he won’t play his starters, and the line shifted to -4 and -4.5.
Bengals vs. Packers Picks
I believe that puts value on the home underdog getting more than a field goal. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t been revealing when it comes to his plan for the starters, and perhaps they won’t even play as much as expected.
Either way, backing the home underdog looks like the move.
The Pick: Bengals +4.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
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Four NFL Preseason Week 1 Predictions: Friday & Saturday Picks