Bengals vs. Buccaneers Week 1 Dunkel NFL Picks, Predictions and Odds

The Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) are considered favorites (-3.5) according to the point spread ahead of their game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) on September 13, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. ET, airing on FOX. An over/under of 50.5 points has been set for the matchup.

With 28.9 points allowed per game on defense, which ranked third-worst in the NFL last season, the Bengals were forced to lean on their 12th-ranked offense (24.4 points per contest) to keep them in games. The Buccaneers ranked 21st in total offense (320.4 yards per game) and 19th in total defense (337.2 yards allowed per game) last season.

Bengals vs. Buccaneers Odds and Game Time

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• City: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Venue: Paycor Stadium
• Total: 50.5 points
• Spread: Bengals -3.5
• Moneyline: Bengals (-198), Buccaneers (+164)

How to watch Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• TV Channel: FOX

Betting the Over/Under: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• In nine games last season, the Bengals and their opponents scored more than 50.5 total points.
• Last season, nine of the Bengals' games went over the point total.
• The Buccaneers combined with their opponents to score more than 50.5 points in six of 17 games last season.
• Last season, eight Tampa Bay games went over the point total.
• The teams combined to score 46.8 points per game last season, 3.7 fewer points than this matchup's total.
• Combined, these teams gave up 53.1 points per contest last year, 2.6 more points than the over/under for this game.

Betting the Spread: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• Cincinnati won eight games against the spread last season, failing to cover nine times.
• Cincinnati had an ATS record of 3-3 when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites last season.
• The Buccaneers covered five times in 17 matchups with a spread last year.
• Tampa Bay covered the spread once when an underdog by 3.5 points or more last season (in five opportunities).
• At home last season, the Bengals were 4-5 against the spread and 3-6 overall.
• Cincinnati had two wins ATS (2-2) as 3.5-point favorites or greater at home last year.
• The Buccaneers were 4-5 against the spread, and 4-5 overall, in away games last season.
• Tampa Bay had one win ATS (1-3) away from home as 3.5-point underdogs or more.

Betting the Moneyline: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• Cincinnati won 66.7% of the games last season when it was the moneyline favorite (4-2).
• The Buccaneers won two of the six games they played as underdogs last season.
• Cincinnati went 3-2 when playing as a moneyline favorite with odds of -198 or shorter (60%).
• Last season, Tampa Bay was at least a +164 underdog on the moneyline three times, losing each of those contests.
• The implied moneyline probability for this matchup gives the Bengals a 66.4% chance to win.

Dunkel Prediction for Bengals vs. Buccaneers

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