Carolina Panthers vs Cincinnati Bengals Picks and Predictions September 29th 2024

Winless Bengals face familiar face in matchup vs. Panthers

The Panthers are +177 on the money line as they host the Bengals at 1:00 ET on Sunday, September 29th at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Bengals are favored on the road with a money line of -213 and a point spread of -4.5. This non-conference matchup is being televised on FOX, and the over/under line is set at 48 points.

Cincinnati vs. Carolina Key Information

• Teams: Bengals at Panthers
• Where: Bank of America Stadium Charlotte
• Date: Sunday, September 29th
• Betting Odds CIN -213 | CAR +177 O/U 48

The Bengals Can Win If…

The Bengals are still looking for their first win of the season after a 38-33 loss to the Commanders. Cincinnati, now 0-3 on the season, was at home for this one. The Bengals were favored by -7 but lost straight-up and against the spread. The combined 71 points easily went over the total line of 45.5 points.

Cincinnati fell behind early but battled back and even took a 33-31 lead with 43 seconds left in the 4th quarter. Joe Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a late touchdown to give the Bengals the lead. However, the Commanders answered with a late touchdown of their own to pull out the win. The Bengals also found the endzone with a Joe Burrow touchdown pass to Andrei Iosivas in the 3rd quarter.

The Bengals’ offense picked up 30 first downs in their 38-33 loss to the Commanders, with Joe Burrow throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Burrow completed 76% of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 127. Ja’Marr Chase was one of his top targets, catching six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Cincinnati had a good day running the ball, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt on 124 yards. Burrow was sacked twice and finished with 312 yards passing. Despite not being able to complete a pass, the Bengals’ offense had a 60% third-down conversion rate.

Despite their defensive effort, the Bengals lost 38-33 to the Commanders in their most recent game. The Bengals’ defense allowed 356 total yards and 108 rushing yards on 32 attempts. Washington had success on third down, converting 55.6% of their chances, and the Bengals didn’t allow a single completion, but still gave up 248 yards through the air, including two touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s defense did manage two sacks in the game. The Bengals also struggled to generate tackles for loss, losing that battle to Washington. Overall, the Bengals’ defense was unable to keep Washington out of the endzone, as they gave up 38 points in the five-point defeat.

• Across Cincinnati’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. Against the spread, Cincinnati went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Bengals have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the spread was just 4-5-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Panthers Can Win If…

Carolina picked up their first win of the season in week three, beating the Raiders 36-22 on the road. The Panthers, who headed into the game as +5.5 point underdogs, not only won straight-up but also covered the spread with their 14-point victory. The over/under line was set at 40 points, and the teams combined for 58 points.

The Panthers dominated from the 2nd quarter onwards after a 7-7 tie in the 1st quarter, outscoring the Raiders 20-0 heading into the 4th quarter. Carolina’s offense was led by Andy Dalton, who threw three touchdown passes in this game, two to Adam Thielen. Eddy Piñeiro also contributed with multiple field goals.

Andy Dalton had a good game for the Panthers in their 36-22 win over the Raiders, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Carolina’s offense put up 24 first downs and 306 yards through the air. Dalton completed 70% of his passes and had a passer rating of 123.

Chuba Hubbard led the team in rushing with 114 yards on 21 carries and also contributed 55 receiving yards, including one receiving touchdown. Diontae Johnson had a big game with 122 receiving yards and a touchdown.

In their most recent game, the Panthers’ defense gave up just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts to the Raiders. Despite allowing 276 yards through the air, the Panthers held Las Vegas to 0 completions and a completion percentage of 0.0%. They also forced the Raiders to convert on only 27.3% of their third down attempts and came away with three sacks and one interception. The Panthers won the game 36-22, giving up a total of 331 yards to the Raiders.

• Carolina has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). This includes going 1-2 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Panthers have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. Their record vs the spread sits at 4-5-1 in these matchups, while posting a 2-8 over-under mark.

The Lean

Our projected score for this week four matchup between the Panthers and Bengals is 30-25 in favor of Carolina. With the Panthers coming in as 4.5-point home underdogs, they are our pick to not only win but also cover the spread.

For this game, we also like the over as a strong play, with a projected combined score of 55 points and the O/U line sitting at 48 points.

The Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals are set to face off this weekend in a pivotal NFL Week 4 matchup. The game carries added weight as former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton takes the reins for the Panthers, aiming to continue his success after securing Carolina’s first win of the season.

Andy Dalton’s Revenge Game: The Veteran Quarterback’s Big Opportunity

Andy Dalton, now the starting quarterback for the Panthers, will face his former team, the Bengals, in a game filled with emotional undertones. After spending nine seasons in Cincinnati, where he was drafted in the second round in 2011, Dalton will aim to guide the Panthers to another victory.

Dalton stepped in last week for 2023 No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young, who is sidelined with an injury, and delivered an impressive performance. He threw for three touchdowns without an interception, leading the Panthers to a convincing 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“It’s always fun to get the opportunity to go against them,” Dalton said, reflecting on his Cincinnati tenure. Despite leaving the Bengals in 2019, his connection to the team remains strong, making this matchup particularly meaningful.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Struggles: 0-3 Start and Mounting Pressure

On the other side, the Cincinnati Bengals enter the game winless, with an 0-3 record following a 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders. Despite high expectations entering the season, the Bengals have struggled, losing their first three games by a combined total of just 12 points. This rough start has left the team, once considered an AFC contender, desperate to turn things around.

Head coach Zac Taylor, who coached Dalton in his first season with Cincinnati in 2019, remains optimistic. “A long season, things can always evolve,” Taylor said. “What we do is make sure we don’t overreact. Let’s really fine-tune how we can actually improve, and not just decide we have to make wholesale changes.”

With a talented roster led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals have the potential to bounce back. However, Burrow, despite throwing five touchdowns without an interception this season, has been sacked eight times—a clear indication that Cincinnati’s offensive line is underperforming and needs significant improvement.

Panthers Build Momentum: Can Dalton Lead Carolina to Another Win?

For the Panthers, the switch to Dalton seems to have sparked new energy in the team. Head coach Dave Canales was pleased with the veteran quarterback’s performance in Week 3 but knows there’s still work to be done. “This is just one step, and we’ve got to go back to work and just feel the urgency that the whole group has,” Canales said.

With Dalton at the helm, the Panthers may open up more of the playbook and play with greater aggression, a shift that was evident in their first victory. “We saw more opportunities that allowed guys to play aggressively and just be free and have fun,” Canales added. If Dalton can continue to lead the offense effectively, the Panthers could build on their momentum against a vulnerable Bengals team.

Injuries Loom Large: Key Players Out for Both Teams

Injuries could play a significant role in the outcome of this game. The Panthers were hit hard by the loss of wide receiver Adam Thielen, who was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury sustained on a touchdown reception against the Raiders. Other key players, including left guard Damien Lewis (elbow), defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (knee), and cornerback Lonnie Johnson (hip), are also listed on the injury report.

For the Bengals, offensive lineman Trent Brown is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in Monday night’s loss. Additionally, key defensive linemen B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins missed practice with hamstring issues, while star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who scored two touchdowns against the Commanders, was limited with a shoulder injury. These injuries on both sides of the ball could significantly impact the Bengals’ chances of securing their first win.

Key Matchups to Watch: Protecting Burrow and Shutting Down Dalton

The Bengals’ primary focus must be protecting Joe Burrow. With eight sacks through three games, the offensive line has struggled, making it difficult for Burrow to utilize his dynamic receiving corps fully. Taylor emphasized the need for efficiency: “Offensively, you can’t waste any plays.”

Defensively, Cincinnati must improve in tackling and play recognition to capitalize on opportunities. The Bengals’ defense has had trouble making plays in open space, an area they’ll need to address to stop a Panthers offense that is finding new rhythm with Dalton at quarterback.

Meanwhile, for the Panthers, Dalton’s experience will be crucial as they look to exploit Cincinnati’s defensive weaknesses. Carolina’s offensive line must hold up against a banged-up Bengals front seven to give Dalton time to find his targets.

The Coaches’ Outlook: Urgency vs. Patience

Both coaches seem to have contrasting mindsets heading into this game. For Canales, urgency is the keyword. After securing his first win as Panthers head coach, he wants the team to build on that momentum and maintain their aggressive approach. “We want to continue attacking,” he stated, signaling that the Panthers are not content with just one victory.

On the other hand, Zac Taylor is preaching patience. Despite Cincinnati’s 0-3 start, Taylor believes in gradual improvement and is hesitant to make drastic changes. “This is a very humbling week. There are a lot of ebbs and flows and right now we’re on the downside of that,” he acknowledged.

Series History: Bengals vs. Panthers

The all-time series between these two teams is tied at 3-3-1, with the Bengals winning their most recent encounter 42-21 in 2022. Given both teams’ current states, this matchup could be a pivotal moment for either side. The Bengals are desperate for a win to save their season, while the Panthers, led by Dalton, are eager to build on their first win.

Conclusion: A Defining Game for Both Teams

This Panthers vs. Bengals matchup is shaping up to be more than just another regular-season game. For Andy Dalton, it’s a chance to defeat his former team and solidify his starting role in Carolina. For the Bengals, it’s a must-win game that could either ignite a season turnaround or further sink a team with playoff aspirations.

Both teams are dealing with injuries, and key players’ health will likely determine how competitive this game becomes. With Joe Burrow under pressure and Andy Dalton looking to continue his resurgence, this game promises to be an intriguing clash of storylines and strategies.

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