CIN/BAL

NKOTB, yes the 4-2 Bengals in a key division game at 5-1 BAL who has manhandled CIN in recent games. This Bengals team, while infused with youth, is one of the better balanced teams in the league. We all know about Burrows, Mixon is a solid RB, Ja' Marr Chase a future star but their defense is perhaps underrated. Of teams that have played 6 games only BUFF and AZ have given up less points, only 111 for CIN. They're also 8th in ypg, 331, BAL avg 359. They look like an AFC North team, predicated on defense, and well balanced on offense. Both teams have a -2 TO advantage but look a little further and my biggest concern for TOs is Lamar. In 3+ years, he's fumbled 36 times, losing 13 and has put the ball on the ground 5 times already this season losing 3. Consider Burrows has yet to fumble, yes I know he's not running but the numbers for Jackson are certainly noteworthy and especially against a good tackling team like CIN. Injuries have plagued BAL, Murray and Watkins are out tomorrow with several others questionable. Of course they've won 5 games in a row, credit due, but sooner or later lack of depth will catch up to them. The Bengals are healthy, no starters out. 

Interesting that Baltimore, 5 wins in a row, has alternated wins and losses ATS since the start of the season covering this past week vs the Chargers. CIN has won 3 of 4, only loss was a heartbreaking OT loss to GB when a game winning FG doinked off the goalpost, in what ended up being the "will someone please make a FG in OT" game.

The words "statement game" may be over used in sports but I gotta believe the Bengals had this game circled before the season started, get blown out, you're still the Bungles, win and you're tied for 1st place and suddenly in the driver seat for a division title, Hello Cincinnati! Luv that chili thing you all do with your spaghetti, 5 way please!

BENGALS +6.5

As always good luck to all!

@mrusso

 WKRP in Cincinnati!! 

dam good write up mrusso 

@CanadaCup

 Had a little online altercation with a certain poster defending my Canadian bruthas. Do it again in a minute

@sportschat

 Only the result matters, thx Sportschat!

@mrusso

Not only one of the best cappers on Covers but a classy gentleman as well. I’d defend you in a heartbeat as well mrusso 

@mrusso

Russo thank you for the pick.  I just placed BENGALS +7.5 3 UNITS.

Yo Russo,

Great write up!  Liking your train of thoughts and vision on this game.  Cincy should keep this under a TD and may even upset Baltimore ML.  Worth a shot.  Definitely trying to get +7, +7.5 would be solid.  GL

@SuckmyRick

 I may drop a couple pennies on the M/L myself

@CanadaCup

One of my favorite shows 

Nice to be on the same side with you Russo from another Canadian brother here Anything else you playing tomorrow? New England line seems fishy to me sort of like the Jets tomorrow any thoughts?

Best of luck Brother ..

Rooting for the Bengals with no money involved 

Pretty damn lucky that Lamar lost only 13 of 36 fumbles in his career. 

Best of Luck Russo 

Already played it 

Feel more confident now !

@mrusso 

Love it you the man  

Baltimore will pull this one out. Lamar is balling out! Betting cincy is thinking to much.

 Gonna be a good one 

WTF kind of write up is this crap. Bengals OL is terrible stop guessing do research before choosing to avoid facts.

Bengals statement game was a Loss to Green Bay. 

Bengals offensive line is far from terrible. Do some research before choosing to avoid facts.

55 pressures is 4th lowest in NFL (14 of those are on Burrow, 44 on the OL)

87.8% pass block success ranks 9th in the NFL

Reiff, Williams are solid tackles and Spain has taken a huge step forward at LG.

15 sacks looks way worse than it is. Burrow is still limited in his mobility at times with the knee.

@Bspalding

 Nicely done. This Veto22 has been a member of Covers since 2007 and yet I've never heard of him. He's free to voice his opinion. 

@veto22

Someone has some hate for the Bengals. I believe there is sum bonified statistical info in my post, Sorry that it displeases you, ughh...Not. Best of luck to you regardless WTF. Oh and BTW, my NFL write-up record/pix on Covers since 2018 is 49-22-3, 69%, 10-6-1 this season. I hate to pull out the "record card" but you kind of forced my hand on that. All documented, check it out WTF.  Have a good day and go Bengals!

@undermysac

 Remember, the numbers usually even out in the end, so far this season 3 of 5 were lost. If he continues to fumble at a high rate, it stands to reason more fumbles will be recovered by the other team.

@mrusso 

well written post #1 indeed mah man 

As for veto’s comment …… WTF

 How about the phrase:

'THE RIGHT TRAJECTORY'

@asmth14

 You would never know much of my job is typing on the computer, and I still suck at it, have to correct typos almost every sentence and I'm doing this on my phone, ha! Best of luck to you, who you got today?

@mrusso take it for what it’s worth 

Some encouraging notes I read to consider mah man 

HEALTH UPDATE

Injuries have been a constant backdrop for the Ravens, ever since they lost running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards before the season even began. This week, they put offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (ankle) on injured reserve. He hadn't played since the opener.

Receiver Sammy Watkins (thigh) missed last weekend's game, and running back Latavius Murray hurt his ankle.

A BETTER BURROW

Taylor said Burrow is better than he was when he was beaten 27-3 by the Ravens in Week 5 last season. The rookie threw an interception and was sacked seven times by Baltimore.

“I think Joe has grown tremendously,” Taylor said. “He’s been exposed to a lot more defenses over the course of the year, just having played and watched more tape over this last season.”

Burrow is completing more than 70% of his passes and has at least two touchdown passes in each of the Bengals’ first six games.

NEVER BEFORE

The Ravens are 5-1 for the fourth time in franchise history, but they've never started 6-1. Baltimore was 5-1 as recently as last season, then dropped four of its next five games.