NFL Betting: Bengals face tough schedule

Cedrick Benson ran for over 1,200 yards and six scores last season.

The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the surprise teams of 2009. After years of being mocked as the team where all the NFL jailbirds and troublemakers would go, the Bengals finally caught a break and returned to the playoffs.

Most impressive was the fact that the Bengals not only won the division, they swept all six in-house games. While many bettors were wondering why Marvin Lewis still had his job in Cincy prior to the start of last year’s campaign, not many are questioning him heading into this year.

The Bengals will still be a quality team in 2010 but an absolutely grueling schedule will keep them out of the playoffs.

What Has Changed

The biggest acquisitions came on offense this year, which was fueled by a pitiful performance against the New York Jets in the playoffs. The first order of business was to acquire more passing weapons for Carson Palmer and take some pressure off of Chad Ochocinco.

Antonio Bryant was signed to a four-year $48 million contract and it could turn out well. There’s no question that he can be a dominant receiver when he wants to be, but he has also been a head case and prior to Jon Gruden micro-managing him, he took a year off of football.

The Bengals then spent their first-round pick on tight end Jermaine Gresham, who could be a steal after an season-ending injury cleared his final college campaign.

Matt Jones was also added to the mix and the Bengals will try to see whether he fits at all.

On defense, the Bengals added Gibril Wilson and Pacman Jones – again taking shots with former standouts who are no longer at that level for separate reasons. If it works out, the Bengals' improving defense will get stronger. If not, then both could be summer cuts.

Offensive X-Factor

Bryant and Gresham have to be the x-factors – or at least one of them. We know what Palmer, Ochocinco and Cedric Benson bring to the table. Unfortunately, as we saw in the playoffs against a good Jets defense, it isn’t enough.

Bryant can stretch the opposite side of the field from Ochocinco while Gresham burns linebackers on the inside all day long, but this has to come to fruition. If it does, the Bengals will have power, speed and finesse on this unit, which could approach their glory days of 2006.

If Bryant and Gresham don’t have an immediate impact, the Bengals won’t have the offense to endure their difficult schedule.

Defensive X-Factor

Antwan Odom has to be a game-changer for the Bengals, just as they expected when they signed him in 2008.

He appeared to be on the way last season, notching eight sacks in the first three games. But he was lost for the year with an ACL injury in Week 6.

The Bengals finished with just 34 sacks on the year and as mentioned, Odom’s eight came in the first three games. That means that they only had 26 in their other 13 games.

The Bengals have solid cover corners, physical safeties and quality linebackers. The last missing piece is a pass rush and Odom has to lead the way.

2010 Projection

The Bengals have done an excellent job with their roster. They have a franchise quarterback, a physical running game, good lines on both offense and defense, they’ve added more weapons and their young defense figures to improve.

So what’s going to keep them from the playoffs – or the 8.5 wins that sportsbook odds makers expect out of them? A nightmare schedule. On the radar, the Bengals have the following:

* at New England
* at Atlanta
* versus Miami
* at Indianapolis
* at New York Jets
* versus New Orleans
* versus San Diego

All of those teams are considered Super Bowl contenders. And don’t forget, Cincinnati will have four games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh as well.

Nine wins is going to be a tough stretch for this team – even after a growth spurt last year.

Pick: Under 8.5 Wins