The New York Jets became the focal point of off-season conversation after their acquisition of Tim Tebow, but the attention has only increased since the club opened training camp last month. The Jets can probably expect regular season level scrutiny tonight when they open their exhibition slate with an NFL Network showdown (7:30 PM start time) against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. NFL Preseason Week 1 New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds at offshore book maker BetOnline.ag have the hosting Bengals lined as a -1.5 against the spread favorite; tonight’s game total is set at 34 points.
Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan garnered the club plenty of media attention on his own, but coverage of the club has been taken to a different level since its off-season trade for Tim Tebow. That means tonight’s preseason contest has the potential to feel like a late December ball game rather than a meaningless exhibition opener.
Tebow fans are frothing at the mouth to see their man in relief of starter Mark Sanchez or, perhaps, in the backfield behind Sanchez or on the punt team. Fortunately for his rabid following, Ryan has indicated Tebow could play up to two quarters as he intends to give Sanchez and the rest of the first stringers one quarter of action.
As far as the team is concerned, it is, no doubt, anxious to lock horns with another club. The Jets training camp has been marred by several fights as well as in-house bickering between players like Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes.
Cincinnati has experienced a far less tumultuous training camp, but it too is probably anxious to see its heralded draft class take the field for the first time. The Bengals, who stunned fans and pundits alike by earning a playoff berth last season, added what appear to be several impact rookies in Dre Kirkpatrick, Kevin Zeitler, Devon Still, and Mohamed Sanu.
Cincinnati was also active in free agency, nabbing former Patriot running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis as well as former Cowboys cornerback Terrence Newman.
Game Notes: The Jets are 6-6 in the preseason under Rex Ryan, but they are 0-3 in preseason openers with Ryan, losing by an average of 7.3 points per game. Cincinnati is 18-19 under Marvin Lewis in exhibition action, and they are 0-3 in their last three preseason openers.
NFL Preseason Week 1: New York Jets vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds
New York Jets +1.5 (-110), Over 34 (-110), +100 (Moneyline)
Cincinnati Bengals -1.5 (-110), Under 34 (-110), -120 (Moneyline)
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