The Bengals haven’t won a regular-season game since last January and the Panthers haven’t had a two-game win streak since 2021. One of those statements will become false in Week 4.
Here’s this week’s underdog report (odds via ESPN Bet).
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals (-4)
Don’t think the Bengals can get off to an 0-4 start? How confident were you before the team’s 38-33 loss to the Commanders last week? The truth is, Cincinnati was favored to win two of its first three games but failed to beat the Patriots, Chiefs and Commanders.
Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton won 70 games as the Bengals starting quarterback before being released in 2019. He joined the Panthers in 2023 and took over for a struggling Bryce Young in Week 3.
Plugged into an offense that managed just 13 points in its first two games, Dalton led the team to a 36-22 victory over the Raiders by throwing for 319 yards and three scores. The 36-year-old quarterback had 31,594 yards and 204 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Bengals and Sunday’s game will be Dalton’s first in Cincinnati since 2020 when he played for the Dallas Cowboys.
Does the “Red Rifle” have enough left to carry Carolina past Joe Burrow’s Bengals? Quarterbacks like Jacoby Brissett and Jayden Daniels had no problem getting wins as something is clearly wrong with Cincinnati.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
While wins have eluded the Bengals so far, Minnesota may have found something in quarterback Sam Darnold. Now playing with his fourth team, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is suddenly playing the best football of his career. He has the Vikings out to a 3-0 start.
Darnold threw four touchdowns to lead Minnesota to an upset victory over Houston last week and currently owns the league’s third-best quarterback rating. Of course, throwing passes to someone like Justin Jefferson will help any quarterback’s numbers.
Jefferson is currently the NFL’s third-leading receiver with 273 yards and three touchdowns (one in each game). Jayden Reed leads Packers wide receivers with 197 yards in 2024, but has just six catches and 59 yards since going off for 138 yards and a score against the Eagles in Week 1.
With a league-leading 204 rushing yards per contest, Green Bay has an elite ground game. But its passing offense ranks 22nd despite strong play from backup quarterback Malik Willis. Starting quarterback Jordan Love has been sidelined since injuring his knee against the Eagles, but could be back to play the Vikings in Week 4.
Earlier in the week, Green Bay’s $220M man told team reporters he’s doing everything he can to play on Sunday.
“We’re building it up for sure,” Love said. “I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was.”
If Love plays, he’ll face a Vikings defense allowing 10 points per game. Only Pittsburgh has given up fewer (8.7). Don’t be surprised if Love waits until Week 5 to face the Rams’ 32nd-ranked defense while Minnesota remains undefeated.
