As we gear up for NFL Week 1, the bookmakers are hard at work adjusting the odds, creating an air of anticipation and excitement for football fans across the nation. One particular matchup that has caught the attention of bettors is the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the New England Patriots, with odds hovering around a crucial number and the Bengals favored to win.
The initial line had the Bengals as 9.5-point favorites, but recent developments have caused some uncertainty among bettors. The injuries to Tee Higgins and the holdout of Ja’Marr Chase have thrown a wrench into the mix, making some reconsider their bets on the underdog.
Tee Higgins, who suffered a hamstring injury, was listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor mentioned that Higgins had tweaked his hamstring during Thursday’s practice, leading to his absence from Friday’s session. As for Chase, the star wide receiver has been limited in practice due to his contract holdout, with no clear indication from Taylor about his availability for the game.
In a recent statement, Chase expressed his willingness to play this season even if a contract restructuring doesn’t happen soon, but the uncertainty still looms over his participation in Sunday’s game. Should both Higgins and Chase be sidelined, it would open up opportunities for other players like Andrei Iosivas and Mike Gesicki to step up and make an impact against the Patriots.
Iosivas, expected to take over Tyler Boyd’s role as the Bengals’ primary slot receiver, will be a key player to watch if Higgins and Chase are unable to play. Gesicki, the tight end, could see an increase in targets if the star receivers are out of the lineup.
As we await more updates over the weekend, the prop bets for this game continue to evolve. It’s a game of uncertainty and anticipation, with fans and bettors alike eagerly waiting to see how things unfold on the field. Stay tuned for more updates on the Bengals-Patriots matchup and how the odds may shift in the days leading up to kickoff.
