Every game counts in NFL football. The road to the Super Bowl is short when you compare seasons to other professional sports leagues. Teams have to hit the ground running if they want to avoid missing the playoffs early on in the season. Divisional games are also important as they set the tone for how successful a season may be for a team.
The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals both picked up wins in their Week 1 games and saw the Steelers and Browns play for a tie in their games. That means the winner of this game picks up the early lead of the AFC North race and the stakes are raised for the other teams to win games and not fall behind.
Baltimore is the NFL odds favorite heading into this game with a spread of 1-point and the total set at 44.
Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 2 Lines and Preview
Bengals football is back. #SeizeTheDEY
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 26, 2018
(Music @NappyRoots) pic.twitter.com/XAmHMfuEFe
- When: Monday, Sept. 13, 8:20 PM ET
- Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
- Opening NFL Lines: Rams -1 (44)
Why Bet on the Ravens?
Baltimore has a history as a tough defensive team, but their offense over the last few years has kept them as a team that lags behind. Scoring 44 points on the Buffalo Bills is certainly a positive sign that may herald this year may be different. It's still too early to start celebrating, but at least these types of wins give motivation for the road ahead. Also, the Bills played awful from all accounts, not to take away from the Ravens credit.
Their game against the Bengals is the real challenge ahead and one that they've struggled with over the years. Baltimore is 2-7 SU in their last 9 visits to Cincinnati, which is compounded by the fact they're 4-10 SU in their last 14 road games overall.
Ravens Offense Stats
- Total Score 47.00
- Passing Yards 252.00
- Rushing Yards 229.00
- Time on Field 35:14
- Number of Plays 74.00
- Yards per Play 4.99
Why Bet on the Bengals?
The Bengals haven't been good over the last few seasons, but their Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts is a step in the right direction. However, even if they did pick up a valuable road win, the fact they gave up over 300 passing yards to Andrew Luck it shouldn't go without saying they have some chinks in their armor.
The Bengals won as a 3-point underdog in Indianapolis which could be something of a factor now that they're once more the dog at home. Considering that over the last 10 home games when they've also been an underdog, they are 7-3 and 8-1-1 ATS it appears you might profit from banking on them.
Bengals Offense Stats
- Total Score 34.00
- Passing Yards 229.00
- Rushing Yards 101.00
- Time on Field 27:12
- Number of Plays 50.00
- Yards per Play 6.60
Ravens vs. Bengals Trends
Baltimore is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Baltimore is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Baltimore's last 13 games
Cincinnati is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Game Prediction: The fact the spread is so low, makes it evident this will be a low-scoring game. Everything is pointing though that the Bengals should win and cover. I'm also expecting the UNDER to be a good bet.
Pick: Cincinnati +1