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

The Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) are considered favorites (-4.5) according to the bookmakers ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) on September 13, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. ET, airing on FOX. The expected point total for the matchup is set at 50.5.

Despite sporting a bottom-five defense that ranked second-worst in the NFL (380.9 yards allowed per game) last season, the Bengals played better on the other side of the ball, ranking 17th in the NFL by averaging 329.2 yards per game. On offense, the Buccaneers ranked 17th in the NFL with 22.4 points per game last season. Meanwhile, they ranked 20th in points allowed (337.2 points allowed per contest).

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 -4.5
• Moneyline: Bengals (-205), Buccaneers (+170)

How to watch Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• TV Channel: FOX

Betting the Over/Under: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• Bengals games last season featured more combined points than this contest's total of 50.5 points nine times.
• Last season, nine of the Bengals' games went over the point total.
• Tampa Bay played six games last season that ended with a combined score higher than 50.5 points.
• A total of eight of Tampa Bay's games last season went over the point total.
• These two teams scored a combined 46.8 points per game last season, 3.7 fewer points than the over/under for this matchup.
• Opponents of these two teams scored 53.1 combined points per game last year, 2.6 more than the total for this matchup.

Betting the Spread: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• Cincinnati covered eight times in 17 games with a spread last season.
• Cincinnati was favored by 4.5 points or more six times last season, and covered the spread in three of those contests.
• The Buccaneers won five games against the spread last year, while failing to cover 12 times.
• Tampa Bay covered the spread once when an underdog by 4.5 points or more last year (in five opportunities).
• The Bengals were 4-5 against the spread, and 3-6 overall, at home last season.
• At home last season, as 4.5-point favorites or greater, Cincinnati had one win ATS (1-2).
• The Buccaneers were 4-5 against the spread, and 4-5 overall, on the road last season.
• Tampa Bay was winless ATS (0-3) as 4.5-point underdogs or more away from home.

Betting the Moneyline: Bengals vs. Buccaneers

• Cincinnati was the moneyline favorite six total times last season. They went 4-2 in those games.
• The Buccaneers were underdogs in six games last season and won two (33.3%) of those contests.
• When playing as a moneyline favorite with odds of -205 or shorter, Cincinnati had a 3-2 record (winning 60% of its games).
• Last season, Tampa Bay was at least a +170 underdog on the moneyline three times, losing each of those contests.
• The Bengals have an implied moneyline win probability of 67.2% in this matchup.

Dunkel Prediction for Bengals vs. Buccaneers

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