Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-2) NFL Betting
It’s a battle of two teams fighting for the AFC North crown this Sunday in Baltimore. The Ravens were expected to be fighting for the top of the AFC North, but the Bengals have surprised the entire NFL this year.
Can Cincinnati go into Baltimore and pick up a key win or will the Ravens get a leg up on the upstart Bengals?
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Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, November 20, 2011
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Broadcast: CBS
Bengals vs. Ravens Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Ravens -7
Moneyline: Ravens (-300) Bengals (+250)
Over/Under: 40.5
Andy Dalton was a second round draft pick, but he is a legitimate contender for rookie of the year in the NFL. Dalton has thrown 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions so far this year. His job will be tougher this weekend, because it appears he will be without star wide receiver A.J. Green. Green is listed as doubtful due to a knee injury. Tight end Jermaine Gresham is also listed as questionable for this one. Cedric Benson will be expected to a carry a heavier load this weekend. It will be a tough task for the Bengals offense as they face one of the best defenses in the league.
Cincinnati’s defense is the reason this team is 6-3 right now. The Bengals rank fifth in the NFL in total defense, and they are only allowing 18 points per game this year. Last weekend the Bengals suffered a major loss when Leon Hall tore his Achilles tendon. Hall was the Bengals best cover corner, and he is now out for the season. Adam Jones should step into the cornerback position this weekend. Will injuries start to catch up to this unit?
Baltimore’s defense has been stout all year. The Ravens defense really doesn’t seem to have any weakness at this point. One problem this week will be that Ray Lewis will likely be on the sideline for the first time since 2007. Lewis is listed as doubtful because of a toe injury. Haloti Ngata is a beast in the middle of the defensive line, and the opposition generally has to double-team him. Terrell Suggs leads the team with six sacks. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense has been up and down all year long. Flacco is completing just 55% of his passes so far this season. He did come up with a huge drive to beat the Steelers two weeks ago at Heinz Field, but the offense struggled mightily last week in Seattle. Ray Rice is having another very good season in the backfield. Rice averages 4.1 yards per carry.
He also leads the team with 46 receptions. The Ravens really need to start establishing the run better than they have of late.
This is a team that would be better suited to run to set up the pass rather than the other way around.
The Bengals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games. They are also 4-0 ATS in their last 4 against the Ravens. Since I’m getting a full touchdown, I’ll take the Bengals here.
Free NFL Pick: Bengals +7
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