NFL futures, 2 Cincinnati Bengals bets: Can Burrow lead Cincy back to the AFC title game?

The passing game has been the propeller of the Bengals' success, and the hope is that the addition of LT Orlando Brown helps to shore up the offensive line and lift this offense to new heights.

The defense has some nice pieces along the defensive line, but there are some reasonable concerns here in the secondary. Cincinnati lost both starting safeties and are replacing them with a trio of unproven players. Deep passes were already a slight vulnerability last season and could be exacerbated by the departures they endured this offseason.

The AFC North is one of the tougher divisions in football, and the AFC as a whole is going to be a gauntlet, as we've discussed at length if you've been a regular reader.

Despite that, the Bengals deserve a certain level of trust. Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and arguably hasn't yet hit his prime. Chase and Higgins are stars. Defense be damned, good luck keeping up with this offense.

It certainly doesn't hurt that the Bengals have found postseason success in each of the past two seasons. That helps build a bit of confidence that they can keep things rolling both during the regular season and in this year's playoffs.

There is a question as to whether or not Joe Mixon will be a member of the Bengals come the start of the season, a situation worth monitoring. Curiously, the Bengals win total dropped this past week from 11.5 down to 10.5.

Two futures bets to make on the Cincinnati Bengals

Over 10.5 wins (-130 DK)

Found under "Wins"
It's funny. Gearing up for this piece, I was prepared to fade the Bengals' win total, which was set at 11.5 on Tuesday of this week (this is being written on Thursday). 

At this stage of the board it can get a bit tough to find value in the favorites. I'm high on the Ravens, Steelers and Browns this season, which would suggest the Bengals are the team to take a hit.

While I do think they drop a few games in the division, I'm finding their win total far more appetizing down here at 10.5. They won 12 games last season in just 16 tries, and Joe Burrow is one of the most talented players in the NFL and someone I trust here.

Ja'Marr Chase is electrifying. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are no slouches. Irv Smith at TE should help out even more. Mixon or not, this team runs through the air, and that's more than enough.

Off the bat, I see at minimum six non-division wins against the Rams, Titans, Cardinals, Texans, Colts, and Vikings. Their 7-5 mark in the division over the past two seasons suggests they'll drop a few there, but this still feels like an 11-6 or better type of team in 2023.

Ja'Marr Chase to win Offensive Player of the Year (+1100 FD)

Found under "Awards"
I don't see why Chase can't bring home this award. Sure, he's the favorite, but Justin Jefferson was one of the favorites last season and look how that turned out.

His LSU teammate seems primed for another big season in Cincinnati as he enters Year Three. In just 12 games last year, Chase finished with 1,046 yards on 87 catches, scoring nine times. His rookie year saw Chase pile up 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.

On a per-game basis, Chase was seventh in the NFL in yards per game. He'll of course need to stay healthy to have a chance at this award. There's the potential concern here that Chase is part of a loaded room.

I get it. Jefferson was far and away the top option in Minnesota last season, just like Cooper Kupp two years ago. If Mixon is forced to miss time, it wouldn't surprise me to see Cincinnati lean even more on the passing game, buoying Chase's numbers in the process.

This next point may be a bit silly and contradict why I like the Bengals to hit their wins over, but we need to talk about Tee Higgins.

This is the final year of Higgins' rookie deal. Joe Burrow has yet to sign his second contract, but expect that to set a new record for QBs. Chase needs to be paid next offseason as well.

It's not inconceivable to suggest that the Bengals can't retain Higgins after this year, and if a team wows them with a trade offer, perhaps they budge. If it's Super Bowl or bust, Cincy likely keeps Higgins and accepts they may lose him for nothing.

I'm not the first to float out this rumor and it won't be the last you hear of it. If that domino falls, Chase's usage figures to skyrocket. Just saying.