Bengals vs. Jets Week 8 Picks: Will Cincinnati Make a Statement?

The New York Jets were already up against it with a 1-4 start, but losing QB Zach Wilson was the nail in the coffin. We look at whether the hapless Jets have any chance when hosting the Cincinnati Bengals with our Week 8 NFL picks.

With Wilson out for 2-4 weeks due to a strained PCL, according to reports this week, the Jets went out and shipped a conditional draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran QB Joe Flacco. He will presumably start under center next week for New York; however, it’ll be Mike White making his first start in Week 8.

The fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 NFL Draft was perfectly fine in relief of Wilson last week. He threw for 202 yards and a touchdown with an interception, while the Jets lost 54-13 to the New England Patriots.

The Bengals are 5-2 straight up, and covered the spread in four of their seven games. Much of this has been due to their defense, which is a big reason why they’ve hit the Under in five of seven games. They come into Week 8 off of a season-defining 41-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL Week 8 matchup between the Bengals and Jets (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Bengals vs. Jets Week 8 Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, October 31, 1 p.m. ETTV: CBSLocation: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJWeather: 63 degrees, 27 percent chance of precipitation

Bengals vs. Jets Odds Analysis

The Bengals were around 4.5-point favorites in the early lookahead late last week before their win over the Ravens and the Jets’ loss of Wilson pushed the line to 8.5 points at open. It’s now all the way out to 10.5 points everywhere.

The total opened at 44 points and is down to 43, as a reflection of the distrust in this Jets offense under White.

Bengals vs. Jets Picks

Jets +10.5 (-110) (???)Under 43 (-115) (????)

SEE ALSO: Top Underdog Picks of Week 8

Bengals vs. Jets Predictions

Jets +10.5 (-110)

I think it makes sense to take the Jets in what is a letdown spot for the Bengals. I think New York can sneak up on Cincinnati, as it comes off the highest of highs with a win over an AFC North rival.

As mentioned above, White wasn’t all that bad against New England and was hardly the reason the Jets were demolished. Against a defense that has allowed 245.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 17th in the league, I think he can find some success. New York’s receiving corps is finally fully healthy, and while it’s far from the best in the league, these receivers can be formidable and help out the unproven White.

The Jets’ defense also struggled last week, and will be the main focus as it pertains to the spread for Sunday. The Bengals rank 21st in yards per rush, but first in yards per pass. Jets LB C.J. Mosley’s return should help defend the short pass and the rushing attack, and this secondary, which has been surprisingly competent, should be up to the task of defending the long pass.

It might not be the prettiest cover, but as long as the Jets can get in the end zone a couple of times, I think there’s a good chance they can keep this within 10 points.

Under 43 (-115)

As noted above, this Bengals defense has been really, really good. They’ve been extraordinary against the run, which means the Jets will be forced to lean on the arm of White. While I think he can do enough to keep the Jets in it, there’s no way he will be able to light up the scoreboard.

With that, the Under should be a solid play. The Jets’ defense has been surprisingly OK in all spots aside from Week 7, and their ability to stop the run should put a lid on a blowout. Once Cincinnati gets up and begins to run to kill the clock, it shouldn’t score very much. With that, I think the game script fits the Under.

SEE ALSO: NFL Week 8 Parlay Picks

Bengals vs Jets picks made 10/27/2021 at 1:45 p.m. ET.