The NFL betting slate in Week 17 features several teams that can get into the playoffs with a win, including the Baltimore Ravens, who face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
NFL odds have the Ravens installed as big 12.5-point favorites against the Bengals who will once again finish at the bottom of the AFC North standings.
We break down the NFL odds with our best picks and predictions for the Ravens vs. Bengals on Sunday, January 3, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
Weather
It's expected to be a cold afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, with the temperature around 38 degrees, a 10 mph wind and a 12 percent chance of rain. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Ravens: Jimmy Smith CB (Out), Yannick Ngakoue DE (Out), Willie Snead WR (Out), Ronnie Stanley T (Out), Matt Judon LB (Out), Nick Boyle TE (Out), Tavon Young CB (Out).
Bengals: Mackensie Alexander CB (Out), Randy Bullock K (Out), Logan Wilson LB (Out), William Jackson III CB (Out), Joe Burrow QB (Out), Joe Mixon RB (Out), Geno Atkins DT (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Ravens are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. Find more NFL betting trends for Ravens vs. Bengals.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
The Bengals have played well recently, having won back-to-back games for the first time in 26 months. Cincinnati has overachieved with one of the league's worst defenses and an offense devastated by injuries to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow and star running back Joe Mixon.
However, a return to mediocrity seems inevitable for the Bengals, while the Ravens are starting to play up to their vast potential. Baltimore has won four games in a row and has gone 5-0 ATS in their last five contests.
Wet weather on Sunday should be perfectly suited for the Ravens' gameplan. Baltimore leads the league with 177.8 rushing yards per game and will be able to shred a Cincy defense that allows 131.1 ypg on the ground and 4.8 yards per carry.
While Baltimore has struggled to win games against tough opponents during the Lamar Jackson era, they usually hammer teams that are vastly inferior in terms of talent.
Of the Ravens' 10 wins this season, eight came by at least 14 points, including three routs within the last month. Take the Ravens to win and cover, easily booking their ticket to the playoffs.
PREDICTION: Baltimore -12.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Baltimore's offense has been on fire lately, averaging 37 points per game over their last four contests. Baltimore's not at its best when Jackson is forced into becoming a pocket passer and his increased tendency to run in the last month has led to their resurgence, with the Ravens averaging an incredible 233.3 rushing yards over that four-game span.
While the Bengals have definitely missed Burrow and Mixon, they're coming off a couple of impressive offensive displays, totaling 540 yards against Houston and scoring 27 points against the Steelers' tough defense.
Although Cincy won't be racking up anywhere near 500 yards against Baltimore, they will likely be improved from the squad that averaged just 10 ppg over a five-game stretch earlier this season.
With the Ravens cashing the Over in four of their previous five games as a fave, and the Bengals 4-1-1 to the Over in their last six games against winning teams, back the Over 44.5.
PREDICTION: Over 44.5 (-110)
Team Total Prop Bet
The Ravens have been all about fast starts with Lamar Jackson leading the way. Last year, Baltimore led the league in first-half scoring with 17.8 ppg, and while they've taken a step back in many aspects this season, they continue to roll up points in the early going.
This year, Baltimore is second in the league with 16.5 first-half ppg and they've bumped that number up to 21 ppg over their last four games.
Expect the Ravens to come out fired up in this contest and take the Over 14.5 on their first-half team total.
PREDICTION: Baltimore first half team total Over 14.5 (-115)
Ravens vs Bengals Betting Card
- Baltimore -12.5 (-110)
- Over 44.5 (-110)
- Baltimore first half team total Over 14.5 (-115)
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