Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Predictions with Michael Turner | Stephie Smalls Show (Ep 270)

Can the Cincinnati Bengals turn a rebuilt defense and a healthy Joe Burrow into a real 2026 Super Bowl run?

Smalls welcomes back comedian and lifelong Bengals fan Michael Turner, recently seen on Netflix’s Funny AF with Kevin Hart, for a full Cincinnati Bengals season preview. Michael has spent 39 years emotionally invested in this team, so naturally the conversation begins with the safest part of the Bengals calendar: the offseason, when they cannot hurt him yet.

The biggest story is the defense. Cincinnati’s offense can already score with anybody, but last season the defense repeatedly gave games away. Smalls and Michael break down why the additions of Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Brian Cook and Kyle Dugger could completely change the floor of this team. They also discuss Trey Hendrickson’s departure, Cincinnati’s long-running organizational habits and why simply getting to league-average defensively could be enough to make the Bengals dangerous again.

From there, they attack the betting board. The Bengals sit at 10.5 wins, but Michael makes the case for getting aggressive with alternate totals and pushing Cincinnati to 12 or even 13 wins. They discuss AFC North odds, Super Bowl futures, Joe Burrow’s passing touchdown total, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins props, Chase Brown’s fantasy upside, Mike Gesicki and a deep sleeper to remember in Colby Young.

And yes, it all comes back to Burrow. If he plays a full season, Michael has a hard time seeing Cincinnati as anything less than a double-digit-win team. Smalls also raises the uncomfortable question of whether Burrow sometimes holds the ball too long and creates extra punishment for himself.

Michael is back on the road throughout the season, including comedy shows built around Bengals road games. Follow him on Instagram @TurnerComedy and get tour dates and tickets at TurnerComedy.com.

Send questions for the next Ask Smalls Anything at SpeakPipe.com/StephieSmalls.

(00:00) Bengals 2026 Preview
(00:46) Michael Turner Joins
(03:18) The 2025 Defensive Disaster
(05:26) Rebuilding the Defense
(07:13) A New Bengals Front Office?
(10:05) Can Average Defense Be Enough?
(13:53) The Joe Burrow Health Problem
(14:53) Bengals 2026 Betting Odds
(17:24) Is 10.5 Wins Too Low?
(19:07) Betting the AFC North
(21:05) Bengals Fantasy Targets
(23:06) Brown and Burrow Futures
(25:57) Chase and Higgins Props
(27:17) 12 Wins or More?
(28:27) If the Defense Fails Again
(30:05) Michael Turner’s Tour

Exclusive SGPN Bonuses And Links
https://sg.pn/links

Watch The Sports Gambling Podcast
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/sportsgamblingpodcast

Follow The Sports Gambling Podcast
X/Twitter - https://x.com/GamblingPodcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sportsgamblingpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gamblingpodcast
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/sportsgamblingpodcast

Follow The Sports Gambling Podcast Hosts
Sean Green - http://www.twitter.com/seantgreen
Ryan Kramer - http://www.twitter.com/kramercentric

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA)

21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800 BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Legal Disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: Deposits to EDGE Boost are eligible for FDIC and/or NCUA deposit
insurance up to $10,000,000 or more through Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and Participating
Institutions. Learn more about IntraFi® Network Deposits℠ and the network banks eligible to receive your
funds. The EDGE Boost Visa® Debit Card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. EDGE is not a bank and is not FDIC-insured. The $100 deposit match is a promotional credit issued by Edge Markets; match funds are no-withdrawable, have no cash value, and expire 60 days after issuance. Real-time transfers available for eligible account tiers; new accounts are subject to initial hold periods. See Terms of Service and Cardholder 21+. Agreement at EdgeBoost.io

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.