Despite playing without a healthy Joe Burrow for most of the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Bengals still managed to win nine games last year. It stands to reason a full 2024 season of healthy Burrow will lead to even more wins.
DraftKings Sportsbook released the 2024 over/under win totals for all 32 teams earlier this week, and the Bengals are tied with several teams with the second-highest line at 10.5 wins.
Odds for the over are set at -120, while the under would give you +100 odds. That means the books are favoring the over at the moment.
More wins are expected in Cincinnati
Burrow's health is of upmost importance for the Bengals to eclipse double-digit wins, but the rest of the roster rounding into shape certainly doesn't hurt matters.
Free agent signees Mike Gesicki, Zack Moss, and Trent Brown gives Cincinnati solid starters at tight end, running back, and right tackle for the season. All three are ideal scheme fits for the Burrow offense, and filled notable positions of need.
On defense, Sheldon Rankins provides a much-needed boost to the interior pass rush. Rankins doesn't completely outweigh the loss of nose tackle DJ Reader, but he plays a more valuable position at 3-technique and brings a more valuable skillset in winning games.
Geno Stone and Vonn Bell will also bring the stability Cincinnati desperately needed at both safety positions, and second-year player Jordan Battle can fill the gaps as needed.
Should the Bengals find alternative ways to compensate for Reader's departure, the roster as a whole looks better than it did to begin last season. And we haven't even gotten to the NFL Draft yet. The Bengals are positioned well to address future and immediate needs with four of the first 97 picks.
DraftKings is expecting another tough year to win the AFC North. The win total for the Baltimore Ravens is 11.5, and the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are both at 8.5. Even if these overs hit by half a game, the records for each Bengals rival would be worse than last year.
In short, DK is expecting the Bengals to improve, and the rest of the division to regress. That's about as positive of a sign you'll see this early in the offseason.
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