If any matchup could snap the Cincinnati Bengals out of their early-season funk, today’s AFC North scrap against the Baltimore Ravens is a logical pick.
However, the numbers and the eye test suggest it’s a long shot. The Ravens are worthy favorites on the road here, and my Ravens vs. Bengals predictions see the visitors having the last laugh in what should be a high-scoring game.
I’m also locked in on the player prop markets, with Derrick Henry and Tee Higgins among my top NFL picks for this crucial October 6 contest.
Ravens vs Bengals predictions
- Ravens -2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
- Over 48.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
- Henry Over 83.5 rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM)
- Higgins anytime touchdown (+180 at BetMGM)
Ravens vs Bengals best bets
Ravens (-2.5)
Divisional games are generally tough to call, but it’s hard to look past the surging Baltimore Ravens here after back-to-back big wins.
They emphatically ended the Bills’ unbeaten start last weekend with the kind of all-round dominance that’s put them right back in the Super Bowl conversation. As such, I expect Baltimore to run all over the Cincinnati Bengals today.
A win against the lowly Panthers in Week 4 temporarily eased the pressure on Cincinnati, but this is an entirely different proposition. Joe Burrow is looking more comfortable under center after his wrist surgery, though he was still on the injury report this week.
The Ravens covered the spread while winning both matchups against the Bengals last season, and it was encouraging to see their shaky defense stifle the free-scoring Bills last time out. I’m laying the points with Lamar & Co.
Over 48.5
With an offense that’s rounding into shape and a defense that’s a mess, the Bengals have served up three straight Overs — and that’s where I’m leaning this afternoon, with both teams in the Top 10 in points per game so far in 2024.
Three of the past four meetings between these teams have cashed in the Over, and it’s 7-3 in Cincinnati’s last 10 games overall.
Baltimore’s dangerous running game gets most of the headlines, but I also expect the visitors to have success through the air when Lamar Jackson mixes in some passes.
While the Ravens have been posting healthy totals, Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews have been short on catches and it would be no surprise to see them featured more heavily this week.
The Bengals have the big, physical receivers to challenge the Baltimore secondary, so Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should help to keep the Over in play.
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Derrick Henry Over 83.5 rushing yards
Talk about a no-sweat bet. Derrick Henry cashed the Over on this rushing yards line with his first carry last weekend — and while I don’t expect it to be that easy today, I’m picking King Henry to dominate again.
The Bengals are giving up 145.5 yards per game on the ground. That ranks in the bottom third of the league and doesn’t give me confidence that the hosts will have the answers up front.
Henry has run for a whopping 350 yards over the past two games, punishing defenses that are also wary of Jackson darting out of the backfield.
Look for Henry to pick up a chunk of this yardage on a couple of thundering carries. He’s had a run of at least 29 yards in each of his past three contests, and he’ll also walk into some late touches if Baltimore is trying to ice the game.
Tee Higgins anytime touchdown
Tee Higgins’ time in Cincinnati remains unclear beyond this season. Still, he’s certainly made a difference since returning from a hamstring injury — and these are the anytime touchdown odds that jumped off the screen.
This is a healthy plus-money number, and Higgins is a legit red zone threat who’s coming off a 10-target outing against the Panthers.
I envision the Bengals playing from behind in the second half and that should translate to plenty of Burrow-Higgins connections, especially if the Ravens are prioritizing double coverage on Chase.
Higgins has a size advantage against most defensive backs, and his quarterback trusts him to win jump balls around the goal line.
Ravens vs Bengals odds
Ravens vs Bengals game info
| Location: | Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH |
| Date: | Sunday, 10-6-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBS |
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