Bengals Travel to Baltimore for key AFC North Clash<\/strong><\/p>\n The Baltimore Ravens begin their 2012 season on Monday night with high hopes of getting over the hump and getting back to the Super Bowl. In their way in Week 1 is one of the teams that they will have to better \u2013 the young guns of the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals. <\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens<\/strong> Cincinnati has been through some rough times but last year proved that a little patience and some prudent draft-day luck can change a team\u2019s fortunes around in a big way. Andy Dalton and AJ Green appeared on the radar last year as the possible next great QB\/WR duo in the NFL. Together they are a handful for any team \u2013 speed, youth and chemistry are in abundance with these two. The Bengals also have second year Tight End Jermaine Gresham to ensure matchup nightmares for their opposition.<\/p>\n As for the running game \u2013 Cedric Benson is out and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is in. BGE and Bernard Scott may not be the biggest names on the block but they will be formidable and a good compliment to the emerging passing game.<\/p>\n The Bengals defense is also on the rise! They finished top 10 against the pass and the run last year. Like the offense, they are young, athletic and very well coached. There may be one difference with this unit in 2012 however \u2013 they know they can win and have confidence to spare! \u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2012 season as one of the teams to beat in the AFC. The onus this season will fall on Joe Flacco. We all know what the Baltimore running game is capable of \u2013 Ray Rice is a Stud and does his part each and every week. But Flacco has looked like a quarterback that has peaked. Hopes are that he can take the next step and that the passing game compliments a superb running game and a defense that is poised to be elite once again.<\/p>\n Health is the main concern for the aging defense. Names like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Haloti Nagata keep the Ravens in the forefront but the absence of Terrell Suggs leaves a hole on that defensive unit. Even if they take a step back the Ravens should be solid again.<\/p>\n Betting Prediction:<\/strong> A few trends to consider:<\/p>\n Both teams come into Monday\u2019s game relatively healthy except for Suggs and from all reports it is all systems go for both squads. That said, the oddsmakers don\u2019t seem to be giving the Bengals a whole lotta love in this one. I expect a close game on Monday, for the Bengals to give the Ravens all they can handle on both sides of the ball. <\/p>\n I like the Ravens to win outright but the Bengals to cover the 6 points. The Bengals are too complete a team to get schooled in Week 1!<\/p>\n
\n Date\/Time: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:00 PM ET<\/strong>
\n Venue: M&T Bank Stadium<\/strong>
\n Broadcast: ESPN<\/strong>
\n Bengals vs. Ravens Betting Lines from betonline.com<\/strong>
\n Spread: Ravens -6 (-110)<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: Bengals +245: Ravens -290<\/strong>
\n Over\/Under: 41 points<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n