NFL Predictions – Failing Bengals Meet Upstart Jets In AFC Wild Card Rematch

People making their NFL betting predictions know that the Cincinnati Bengals have not made the playoffs in consecutive seasons under head coach Marvin Lewis. Given that they made the postseason last year, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if they missed out on the dance this year, but nobody expected this.

The Bengals are coming off a shocking 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, which pushed their losing streak to seven, and there are no signs of things getting better as they now travel on short rest to battle the New York Jets in an AFC Wild Card game rematch Thursday. 

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NFL Predictions: Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets

Thursday November 25, 2010 – 8:20 PM ET

New Meadowland Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Broadcast: NFL Network

Odds: Bengals +8.5, Jets -8.5

Total: 43.5

While the Bengals are failing, the Jets have won three straight games to keep pace with the New England Patriots for first place in the AFC East. This Thursday’s game will serve as the final tune up before a divisional showdown between the Jets and Patriots the following Sunday at Foxborough.

NFL Predictions: What The Bengals Will Have To Do To Win? 

To categorize the loss to the Bills as being shocking may be an understatement. The Bengals allowed a team with one win, and one of the worst offenses in the league, to score 35 points in the second half in a comeback win. That makes the most important thing heading in to this week’s game the ability for Cincinnati’s players to get out from under the burden of such a huge loss, and it will be even tougher on short rest and in the spotlight of the bright lights of New York.  

NFL Predictions: What The Jets Will Have To Do To Win?

The Jets will need their defense to step up after three straight wins in which they allowed 20 or more points. The offense has been up to the task so far, but New York will face tougher teams than the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns down the stretch, two of the three teams that they have beaten during their recent run. The Jets scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of their 30-27 win over the Houston Texans this past Sunday, including Santonio Holmes’ game-winning touchdown with seconds remaining in regulation, and New York may need another solid offensive effort as the defense continues to figure things out. 

Outlook & NFL Predictions

The Bengals are in one of the worst states in the league, with no major off-field incidents or controversy to blame for the team’s poor play on the field. The loss to the Bills was the exclamation mark, and it will be tough to avoid having their losing streak extended to eight against a determined Jets’ team that had their number in two games last season, and is locked in a battle for the AFC East division lead. 

NFL Predictions: Jets -8.5