NFL Picks Week Three Lock Of The Week: Cincinnati Bengals Cruise Beat the San Francisco 49ers
Written by Matthew Regaw
Sat, 24 Sep 2011
Category sportsbook
Feedback Rating - no votes
NFL Picks for week three look a bit daunting as the schedule is filled with potential close games and low point spreads on many of the games. One of those games is between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The word “lock” in the NFL when making picks is not a word that should be thrown around lightly, that is why I believe this is such a strong pick.
After splitting the first two games on the road the Bengals will be playing their first home game of the season. When it was announced that Carson Palmer would not return, the expectations for this Bengal team were set low before the season started. After the way rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has started the season, things are starting to look up.
Bengals vs. 49ers
Dalton has played near perfect football and is looking poised in the pocket. He has not become turn over prone like some rookies and they very easily could be 2-0 on the season. Unfortunately before kickoff the Bengals were hit with some bad news. Wide receiver Jerome Simpson is facing legal problems and a possible league suspension after 2.5 pounds of marijuana was delivered to his house. It is yet unclear if he will suit up for this weekend.
Dalton will still have plenty of weapons with Cedric Benson running the ball and rookie wide out AJ Green catching the deep crossing routes. Their opponent will have bigger issues coming into this game.
The 49ers are off a devastating loss at home to the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers had a 10 point lead late and the defense collapsed, and the offense stalled. Now they head on the road to face a team that is out of conference and the Niners will have a hangover.
The Niners offense is not on track and has sputtered out all season. The 49ers are currently second to last in the league in total yardage, amassing just 415 yards in two games. The Bengals defense is under rated and should be able to bottle up running back Frank Gore and put the game on the shoulders of unreliable quarterback Alex Smith.
The Bengals have better numbers in yards per pass on offense and defense. The yard per pass is perhaps the most impressive stat as the Bengals are coming in at 6.8, a full yard above the 49ers. The latest NFL spread for this game as the Bengals listed as 2.5 point favorites which is a profound statement.
The NFL betting trends also favor the home team in this clash. The 49ers have burned bankrolls in this spot as they are 1-6-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games as a road underdog of 0.5-3.0. The Bengals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in Week three and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in September.
The Bengals open the season with a home win as they cruise to an easy victory over the flailing San Francisco 49ers.
NFL Lock Of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals -2.5