The Cincinnati Bengals play host to the Carolina Panthers, Thursday August 25th, for Week 3 of the 2011 preseason. The Bengals won their only meeting last year 20-7, in Carolina. NFL oddsmakers have the Bengals as -2.5 point home favorites over the Panthers with the over/under set at 35 points. Start your 2011 NFL preseason off right by getting your bet on the latest Panthers vs Bengals spread avaliable now.
Carolina (1-1) beat the NY Giants 20-10, at home, in their preseason opener and lost 10-20 at Miami in week 2 of their preseason. Their performance paled in comparison to their opener, and Carolina's quarterback picture gained little clarity with the offense stifled most of the night. Jimmy Clausen played the entire second half and completed 9-of-15 passes for 69 yards. Cam Newton got the start and played the entire first half because of the lack of offensive snaps early, completing 7-of-14 passes for 66 yards. Five of Newton's completions went to tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen – who both starred at the University of Miami – while the only first-half reception by a wide receiver was a 2-yarder to Armanti Edwards. When the starters were in, the Dolphins forced the Panthers to alter their plan of attack at quarterback by dominating time of possession, leading the Panthers to stick with Newton for the entire half rather than turn to Clausen early in the second as planned. The Panthers should give the starting job to Can Newton, young players want to prove themselves, instead of rich lazy players.
Cincinnati (0-2) dropped their opener in Detroit 3-34 and lost in week 2 7-27 in NY to the Jets. There are still some immense growing pains for the Bengals offense. For a young team with minimal room for error, the Bengals are making plenty. Of the 61 points scored by the Lions and Jets, 27 have come courtesy of turnovers with five of the 11 scoring drives starting on the Bengals’ side of the field. Five of the six Bengals turnovers have resulted in opponents points. They have been outscored 61-10 in the two preseason games with 24 of the opponents’ points coming in the first quarter. Quarterback Andy Dalton and company have a steep hill to climb and they are still at the bottom of that hill.
Carolina Panthers vs Cincinnati Bengals
When: Thursday August 25th@7:00 PM ET
Pick: Bengals -2.5
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The Bottom Line: The Bengals are going to be awful this year, while the Panthers will be better if Newton is at the helm. Start your 2011 NFL preseason off right by getting your Carolina Panthers vs Cincinnati Bengals predictions in now.
