NFL Betting :
Bengals Will Let Jets Win

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
Football : United States : NFL
Sunday, 3rd January 2010 - Kickoff 8:20pm

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Sportsbook Line : Jets -10

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Sport wagering fans know that Week 17 in the NFL is often the craziest, most unpredictable week of the year. Teams who need to win don’t always do so and teams that have nothing to play for often surprise.

When the New York Jets host the Cincinnati Bengals, this will probably not be one of those scenarios.

The Jets are a 10-point favorite this week and their goal is simple: win and they are in the playoffs. For the Bengals, it’s a far different situation.

The Bengals have already clinched their playoff spot and while they could potentially climb as high as No. 3 in the AFC if they were to win and the New England Patriots were to lose, the reality is that won’t make such a big difference in the long run.

Internet sports betting sharps are more likely to see the Bengals lay down for this contest because that seeding won’t be a huge factor and they would rather help the Jets for another reason.

If the Jets are to win, it would greatly diminish the Pittsburgh Steelers chances of making the playoffs. If there’s one team the Bengals don’t want to face, it’s the Steelers so look for them to help out the Jets in this case and let them win.

Normally, this might be a very interesting matchup between one of the best rush offenses in the NFL versus one of the best run defenses in the NFL. But considering what’s at stake, it’s likely only one team will be exerting much of an effort.

As it stands now, the Jets are the No. 5 seed in the AFC while the Bengals are the No. 4 seed. If the Jets win, the two teams would faceoff once again in the first round of the playoffs.

For the Bengals, they are likely to shut it down completely this week. They won’t play their starters for long, they probably won’t even use a regular offensive or defensive playbooks because they don’t want to give any strategy away.

Meanwhile, the Jets will have to play hard to win and the Bengals will be able to reap quite a bit from their tendencies for next week’s meeting.

THe Betting Verdict

The Jets should win big this week but that won’t mean much for when the two teams meet next week.

The Pick :

Jets 20, Bengals 7

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the NEW YORK Jets -10 to win and cover.