The Cincinnati Bengals, currently winless at 0-3, are set to face the Carolina Panthers, who are 1-2, in a crucial Week 4 matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite their losing streak, the Bengals are favored by 4.5 points, with an over/under of 47 points.
Recent Performance and Key Players
The Bengals are coming off a tough 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, where quarterback Joe Burrow had an impressive game, completing 76.3% of his passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had his best game of the season, catching six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The return of Tee Higgins also significantly impacted the offense, helping the Bengals achieve 436 total yards in the game.
On the other hand, the Panthers are looking to build on their 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, led by quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton, who took over for the benched Bryce Young, threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in his first start. Running back Chuba Hubbard was also instrumental, accumulating 169 total yards and a touchdown.
Injuries and Lineup Concerns
The Bengals are dealing with several key injuries, including offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee) and defensive tackles B.J. Hill (hamstring) and Sheldon Rankins (hamstring), who are all out or doubtful for the game. The Panthers have their own set of injuries, with wide receiver Adam Thielen out for the season due to a hamstring injury and wide receiver Diontae Johnson questionable with a groin ailment.
Defensively, the Bengals will need to step up, particularly against the run, as they have been gashed on the ground in previous weeks. Players like Germaine Pratt, Logan Wilson, and Trey Hendrickson will be crucial in containing the Panthers' offense.
Betting Odds and Predictions
The Bengals are favored by 4.5 points, with a moneyline of -225 for the Bengals and +181 for the Panthers. The over/under is set at 47 points. Despite the Bengals' favored status, some predictions lean towards the Panthers covering the spread, given their recent performance and the Bengals' struggles.
The SportsLine model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is leaning towards the over on the point total and suggests that the Panthers have a good chance of covering the spread. However, other predictions suggest that the Bengals, driven by their need to avoid an 0-4 start, might come out strong and cover the spread themselves.
How to Watch
The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium. It will be broadcast on FOX, and fans can also stream the game live through various platforms like Fubo.
