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Bengals at Jets: Preview, Predictions, and More

By Alan Schechter

Jul 28, 2016; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets

Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season is here as the New York Jets take on the Cincinnati Bengals. With a very tough schedule ahead in the first six games, the Jets need a victory here to get off on the right foot through this difficult early road. Andy Dalton will be looking to show the world that last season was no fluke and continue his stellar play from before his season ended due to injury.

Related Story: Evaluating the Jets' 53 Man Roster

Keys To Victory

The key to the game for the Jets is going to be the play of the offensive line. Last season, the Bengals were eighth in the NFL with 42 sacks. They will have to be able to give Ryan Fitzpatrick time or it will be a long afternoon. The matchup to watch will be A.J. Green against Darrelle Revis. Even if they aren’t matched up all afternoon, they will be sometimes, and it will be a key factor in deciding the game.

In the last meeting between these two teams met, Andy Dalton threw for over 300 yards and five touchdowns. New York tough to run on, so a huge day out of him will be essential for a Bengals‘ victory. On defense, bump the Jets’ receivers. If they are allowed to run free it will be a long day.

For the Bengals, they will have to find a way to stop the opposing defensive line as well. Even with Sheldon Richardson out serving his one-game suspension, they are a tough bunch. Muhammad Wilkerson was in mid-season form in limited preseason action, and Leonard Williams is a budding superstar. Steve McLendon is clogging up the middle, taking over for Damon Harrison who defected to the Giants, and doing a fine job giving Williams and Wilkerson room to roam. It’s a tough job, but for the Bengals to win they must do it.

Odds

Point Spread: Bengals -2
Moneyline: Bengals -135, Jets +110
Over/Under: 41.5

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Prediction

It’s going to be a close game, one that will not be decided in the fourth quarter. New York’s first-team offense had some difficulty getting their cohesion during the preseason, and it’s going to take some time for them to warm up on game day. Dalton will play well and keep his team in it, but in the end, the Jets will prevail. A late field goal by Nick Folk or a late Brandon Marshall touchdown will eek this one out for the home team.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals: 17, New York Jets: 21

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