/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/f9fc717205e442801b11fd2b7c56f40e12fef2495a0793f499c17fa3f92e7600.jpeg "A view from the trading floor: Are the Bengals worth backing for an upset?")
Football fans entered the 2021 National Football League season full of optimism. Following a campaign that was ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, lovers of the sport in the United States were desperate to get back to something that resembled normal. For most of us, that was getting back to the stadiums packed to capacity with a vocal crowd creating an electric atmosphere. The NFL is eventually there and appears to be heading in the right direction again as restrictions on large public gatherings continue to ease.
Read Also: Why betting on the NFL is big business
The perfect way to mark the return of crowds at football venues would be to see their favourite team enjoy glory, winning their division and conference before going on to secure a place in history by lifting the Super Bowl 2022. Followers across the United States spent the off-season hoping it was their team's year and those loyal to the Cincinnati Bengals were no different. Supporters of the AFC North team made their summer predictions at the leading NFL betting apps, wagering on Bengals to go all the way.
It was a bold claim, of course, but professional football and following a team through thick and thin is nothing if fans can't allow themselves the chance to dream. This season more than any other. Now that the season is two months old and we are well into the thick of the action, it's time to check on how those predictions are doing. Are the Bengals still worth backing for an upset and are they repaying the faith shown in them by supporters? Perhaps traders at the top sportsbooks proved to be on the money with their call once again and Cincinnati has been struggling. Let's look closely at the form and vital stats.
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/d094f6374f132c563084671daf16da8257c05982dd395ed75ffce0273332babe.jpeg "A view from the trading floor: Are the Bengals worth backing for an upset?")
Cincinnati got off to a strong start
Cincinnati has hit the ground running this season, getting right down to work in their division and pushing themselves towards the front of the pack. If their chances this season are to be judged on their early form then there's every chance they will be involved in an extended season and pushing for the prizes. They have looked a strong team in their first eight AFC North games and are exactly where fans would want to see them at this stage. What's even more promising about Bengals is there looks plenty more to come from them.
Eight matches played and the pool is beginning to take shape with the strongest teams pulling clear of the weaker squads that are already starting to feel the pace. Sticking with the AFC North and we note the Bengals have won five and lost three at this stage, scoring 220 points but conceding 162. When investigating those numbers we note that the Bengals rank as one of the highest scorers in the NFL so far but the club has problems at the opposite end of the field and that has been obvious in some of their matches. Cincinnati has conceded 53 points more than the Buffalo Bills who are dominating the AFC East and 20 points more than the Pittsburgh Steelers in their own set.
Football fans cheering on the Bengals will take encouragement from the fact the team seem just as happy on their travels as they do when playing in front of a supportive crowd at Paul Brown Stadium. Their form breaks down as two wins against one defeat at home with three wins and two defeats on the road. That shows they can't be written off when hitting the road and the ability to grind out big wins as the visiting side could prove the difference between playing regular season football and playoff football.
Read Also: How to install the Fun88 app on your smartphone?
What the bookies say
Traders at the biggest sportsbooks worldwide are keeping a close eye on the NFL season, but what do they make of the Bengals so far? Are they a dark horse or simply showing their class and picking up wins when they are expected to? The current Super Bowl betting tells Bengals fans not to raise their hopes too much.
In a market dominated by the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals can be found 14th in line. That means bookies believe there are 13 teams more likely to win the Super Bowl than Cincinnati. That includes the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints.