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Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals predictions:
- Joe Burrow over 275 passing yards – 13/10 SpreadEx
- Odell Beckham Jr to score any time – 7/2 BetVictor
- Cincinnati Bengals +3.5 handicap - 1/1 bet365
The Baltimore Ravens (7-3) host the Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) in a key battle at the top of the AFC North in the early hours of Friday morning (1.15am, Sky Sports Main Event).
The Ravens missed a chance to press their claim for the top seed in the AFC after allowing a 24-9 lead to slip against the Cleveland Browns last time out.
Lamar Jackson and company forged into a dominant position, only to allow Deshaun Watson to rally the Browns to close within a game of Baltimore at the top of the AFC North.
The division is proving to be the tightest in the NFL as the Bengals slipped to the bottom of the standings after losing at home to the Houston Texans.
Joe Burrow led a comeback for the Bengals after throwing two interceptions, but after tying the game in the fourth quarter, CJ Stroud orchestrated a game-winning drive to allow Matt Ammendola to kick the Texans to their sixth win of the season.
Cincinnati’s play-off hopes are now in the balance, but a victory over the Ravens would turn the AFC North on its head entering the second half of the campaign.
Baltimore are the favourites for the game with UK bookmakers, but AFC North games are always tight and this one has the potential to be a thriller.
Here are our Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals predictions.
Will Burrow have a big night?
Burrow had an inconspicuous start to the season after suffering a calf injury in training camp. He was obviously limited by his injury in the opening month of the campaign, but since the start of October, he has looked like the Burrow of old.
The 26-year-old has thrown for over 300 yards in three of his last five games, including the defeat to Houston that ended a four-game win streak.
Burrow will be tested against the Ravens’ defence, who are ranked second in the NFL for yards allowed and are the stingiest unit in the league for points conceded.
He will also have to contend with the absence of Tee Higgins, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Ja’Marr Chase was on point along with Tyler Boyd to keep the Bengals in the game with the Texans, mustering over 100 receiving yards each.
Without Higgins in the line-up, Trenton Irwin and tight ends Irv Smith Jr and Drew Sample need to raise their performances. The game should be a back and forth between two quality quarterbacks, which could lead to a high-scoring contest.
Burrow mustered 222 yards with a bad calf in week two in the first matchup with Baltimore, so he may be able to find an extra 50 now healthy.
With our first Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction, we’re backing Burrow to throw for over 275 passing yards at odds of 13/10 with SpreadEx.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Tip 1: Joe Burrow to throw over 275 passing yards – 13/10 SpreadEx
Will OBJ find the end zone?
Odell Beckham Jr has shown glimpses of his old self for the Ravens this season. The 31-year-old tore his ACL in Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals when playing for the Los Angeles Rams, and consequently missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign.
Baltimore added the wideout to their receiving corps, supporting rookie Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews. Having three reliable targets has allowed Jackson to settle into a rhythm.
At his peak, OBJ was one of the best route runners in the NFL and arguably the standout receiver after the catch. He showed that he still has his old skills, catching a slant and scoring a 40-yard touchdown against the Browns.
It was the first time that Jackson and OBJ had connected to find the end zone this term, and head coach John Harbaugh would like to see it become a regular occurrence in the second half of the season.
Given that the Bengals are ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in pass defence, there could be opportunities for OBJ to score again.
With our second Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction, we’re backing Beckham Jr to score any time at odds of 7/2 with BetVictor.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Tip 2: Odell Beckham Jr to score any time – 7/2 BetVictor
Bengals will keep it close
Both sides enter the contest on the back of defeats in their last games. Losing two matches at this stage of the season can put teams under a lot of pressure to haul back ground in the closing stages of the campaign.
Therefore, it’s not a game that either team can afford to lose.
Cincinnati’s defeat to Houston was concerning, although they are just the latest side to become victims to the rise of Stroud in Texas.
The Bengals played excellent football to beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills in previous weeks and may have taken their eye off the ball at home to Houston.
The same could be said for Baltimore after allowing a 15-point lead to slip against the Browns. The Ravens having home-field advantage could be crucial as Burrow has won only one of his three games against Baltimore on the road.
It will be a close encounter as Burrow proved that even when he’s off his game, he can bring the Bengals back from the brink. So after looking at new sports betting sites, we’re taking the Bengals +3.5 on the handicap at odds of 1/1 with bet365.
A bet on the Bengals would succeed if they lose by fewer than three points or win the game.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Tip 3: Cincinnati Bengals +3.5 handicap - 1/1 bet365
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
