Bengals open as significant favorite over Dolphins

The Bengals are 3-1 heading into their Week 5 matchup with the Dolphins.

Cincinnati needed every last second to pull off a 37-36 road win over the Falcons on Sunday, which has this franchise back in prime playoff position after back-to-back non-playoff seasons.

But don’t sleep on the Dolphins, who got off to a fast start before losing 38-7 at New England in Week 4. No one is faulting a team for losing on the road vs. the Patriots, and the Dolphins are still in good shape for a playoff run if they get back on track in Week 5.

The Bengals are obviously hoping to prevent that, and oddsmakers expect them to. The early odds for Week 5 have the Bengals favored by 5.5 points at home over the Dolphins. It’s a pretty big spread for a matchup of 3-1 teams, not to mention the Bengals have a host of injury questions heading into this contest, though Joe Mixon is expected to make his return following a two-game absence with a knee injury.

Still, this is a game the Bengals should absolutely win at home.

NFL Week 5 Odds

• Colts @ Patriots -10.5
• Ravens @ Browns +1.5
• Jaguars @ Chiefs -3
• Titans @ Bills +3
• Giants @ Panthers -7
• Broncos @ Jets -2.5
• Falcons @ Steelers -4
• Packers @ Lions +1.5
• Dolphins @ Bengals -5.5
• Raiders @ Chargers -6
• Cardinals @ 49ers -3
• Vikings @ Eagles -3
• Rams @ Seahawks +7.5
• Cowboys @ Texans -3.5
• Washington @ Saints -7
• Bye weeks: Bears and Buccaneers