Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Picks – As Week 2 of the NFL season kicks off, fans are anticipating an explosive showdown in Cincinnati, Ohio between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Both teams had different outcomes during Week 1, making this matchup one that’s hard to miss for football enthusiasts. Here is our preview, exploring key aspects of both teams as well as recent performances and what can be expected during this exciting clash. For the latest betting trends on this exciting game, you might want to check the best NFL betting site.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Picks Game Info
When: | Monday, September 17, 2023 |
Time: | 1:00 PM ET |
Where: | Paycor Stadium |
John Harbaugh vs Zac Taylor
The Baltimore Ravens had an excellent opening to their regular season, securing an impressive 25-9 victory against the Houston Texans. Although their scoreline indicates otherwise, it was actually Baltimore’s defense that shined – holding Houston to 268 total yards of offense was a testament to this team’s dominance on that side of the ball.
Lamar Jackson, known for his dual-threat capabilities, led his team with 38 rushing yards. Unfortunately, however, their offense did not produce much firepower: only 265 total yards were covered. Jackson posted only modest passing numbers with only 169 yards passing and one interception. Gus Edwards made 32 rushes while Zay Flowers led receivers with 78 yards received.
On defense, linebacker Roquan Smith led with 16 tackles – an impressive showing on an important defensive front. Furthermore, five sacks were recorded; these contributions came from Roquan himself along with four others. Unfortunately for them, however, Week 1 saw them fail to secure an interception.
Cincinnati Bengals started off their season poorly, falling to the Cleveland Browns 24-3. Their offense struggled to find its groove, accruing only 142 total yards (67 passing and 75 rushing), against stiff resistance from an exceptional Cleveland defense.
Quarterback Joe Burrow had an especially difficult performance, amassing only 82 passing yards. Joe Mixon led the rushing attack with 56 yards and Ja’Marr Chase led receivers with 39 yards. On defense, linebacker Germaine Pratt led Cincinnati with 11 tackles while also contributing one quarterback sack as part of an aggressive pass rush; overall Cincinnati achieved three sacks and one interception during their win against Atlanta.
As we shift focus toward this upcoming matchup, expectations are high for both teams. The Ravens hope to capitalize on their stellar defensive showing from Week 1 while showing their offensive strengths as well. Meanwhile, the Bengals hope to rebound from an underwhelming opener and deliver a much-improved home performance.
One important component to monitor during this game will be Lamar Jackson, Baltimore’s dual-threat quarterback. Jackson can both pass and rush the ball, making him an unpredictable force on the field. If Bengals players can contain their running yards effectively, they have a greater chance of disrupting Raven’s offensive rhythm and disrupting Lamar Jackson’s effectiveness.
Joe Burrow will be under scrutiny as he attempts to rebound from an underwhelming Week 1 performance with the Bengals. Establishing a passing game and connecting with his talented receiving corps – Ja’Marr Chase among them – will be key for Cincinnati’s offensive success.
From a defensive perspective, the Bengals have shown plenty of promise with their ability to sack quarterbacks and secure interceptions. If they can maintain pressure on Lamar Jackson and force turnovers it could have an immense effect on game outcomes.
NFL Betting Odds: Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 — Over/Under: 47.5
Given both teams’ defensive abilities and potential offensive struggles, this matchup seems set up to be a defensive stalemate. The Ravens have traditionally excelled at low-scoring games; therefore the Bengals may take note and attempt to emulate that strategy as well.
As such, our prediction for this game is the UNDER. Recent performances for both teams indicate an undertrend; twelve of Baltimore’s 16 games since February 2017 and seven out of ten Bengals games saw this occurrence.
Baltimore Ravens Betting Trends
Baltimore are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Baltimore’s last 16 games.
Baltimore are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.
Baltimore are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Cincinnati.
Ravens are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati.”
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Trends
Cincinnati are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 10 games.
Cincinnati are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games against Baltimore.
Cincinnati are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Betting Pick
Additionally, Baltimore has seen six out of eight AFC North matchups end with an underscoring, signaling their propensity for defensive contests in their division.
Expect an intense game with a focus on defense from Cincinnati after their Week 1 struggles, as their defense should keep Baltimore’s offense within its over/under threshold score range and keep scores below it. Fans won’t want to miss it and should follow us closely throughout this year for expert insights, score predictions, and NFL betting recommendations. Take the Bengals to win this game with the best online sportsbook.