NFL Betting Ohio: Best bets ahead of NFL Week 9

• Bet Panthers-Bengals u42.5: After looking lost without Ja'Marr Chase last week, expect a slow-packCincinnati to get Joe Mixon more involved against Panthers

• BetMGM pre-registration is now open to all Ohio residents. All they have to do is sign up today to enjoy $200 in free bets (no deposit required)! Click here to sign up!

• Bet Ohio State to win the National Championship: Co-favorites currently with Georgia at +200, C.J. Stroud leads the nation's No. 1 scoring offense, while a much-improved Buckeyes defense allows fewer than 17 points per game.

Last updated: Nov. 4, 10:50 a.m.

Estimated reading time: 3 mins

Bet: Carolina Panthers @ Cincinnati Bengals — Under 42.5 total points (-110)

• The Bengals looked completely lost without JaMarr Chase in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns: Cincinnati was held to 229 total yards and shut out until the 4th quarter. On top of that, the Bengals only mustered up 36 yards on the ground.

• Mixon game: Expect the Bengals to make it a point to get Joe Mixon more involved this week, as Carolina ranks in the bottom 10 in defending the run.

• Cincinnati should focus on controlling the pace of this game: The Bengals are the 10th-slowest team in the NFL in terms of pace of play and are the 3rd-best on converting 3rd down conversions. Long, time-consuming drives are what we are hoping for.

Teaser Bet: Bengals to -1.5 (from -7.5) / New Orleans Saints to +8.5 (from +2.5) vs Baltimore Ravens (-130)

Panthers-Bengals

• The public will love backing the Panthers in Week 9: Because the Bengals are again without Ja'Marr Chase and its assumes their offensive struggles continue.

• Panthers put up 34 points and 478 total yards last week: But keep in mind Atlanta ranks 31st in defensive EPA/play, defensive Success Rate, and opponents' yards per game. Only the Detroit Lions rank worse in those three categories.

• Bengals are No. 1 in defensive Success Rate: Last week against the Cleveland Browns was the first time they allowed a touchdown in the 2nd half this season.

Ravens-Saints

• The Ravens rank 6th in offensive EPA/Play and Success Rate: A tad better than what the Saints saw in their Week 8 shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders. But the key for this matchup is the health of the Ravens' offensive playmakers. Rashod Bateman is out for a few weeks with a foot injury. Mark Andrews is battling a shoulder injury. RB Gus Edwards could be questionable with a hamstring injury.

• Saints stout vs TEs: Even if Jackson's top target, Andrews, plays, the Saints are among the best teams against opposing tight ends. New Orleans has allowed the 2nd-lowest catch rate and 4th-lowest receiving yards to tight ends, who have yet to score a touchdown on the Saints — one of only three such remaining teams.

Bet: Pittsburgh Steelers — Under 5.5 Wins (-120)

• The Steelers' win total was set at 7 wins with -125 odds to the over in preseason: Now, BetMGM has a total of 5.5 wins with -120 odds to the under. Even with two wins under their belt, the Steelers aren't receiving a lot of faith from the market, nor should they in an obvious rebuilding mode.

• Pittsburgh's offense has been atrocious: ranked 31st in EPA/Play, 26th in Success Rate, and dead-last in points per game (15).

With games against the Ravens (twice), Saints, Falcons, Colts and Browns, it's hard to find four more wins.

Bet Ohio State to win the National Championship (+200)

Ohio State is arguably the best team in the nation right now. BetMGM has Ohio State and Georgia co-favorites at +200 to win this year's National Championship.

• Offensively, OSU has been one of the nation's best in 2022: Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have the No. 1 scoring offense, averaging 48.9 points per game, and rank 4th in yards per game (509.5).

• The most significant improvement for this Buckeyes team is their defense: After ranking 31st in the country last season in surrendering 22.8 points per game, they're 8th-best this season (16.9).

• Outside of their annual rivalry game with No. 4 Michigan: The Buckeyes' schedule is relatively soft the rest of the way. Luckily for OSU, the Wolverines this year come to the “Horseshoe.”

Bet Navy @ Cincinnati o44.5 (-110 BetMGM)

• The past three times these conference rivals met, the total went over 44.5 points.

• We all know Navy leans heavily on its option rushing attack: In 2022, it leads the nation in rushing attempts per game (61) and are tied for 6th in rushing yards per game ( 244.5). Despite opposing defenses knowing the run is coming, it is still tough to stop consistently.

• The Midshipmen rushed for 192 yards last year against a Bearcats defense that ranked 10th in total defense: After losing six defensive starters, the Bearcats rank 26th in total defense and 60th against the run. I'd expect a similar outcome to last season, with the total again going over 44.5 points.