In a game that might decide who wins the AFC North, the 8-6 Bengals battle the 8-6 Ravens
Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati. These teams are tied atop the division with just three games to
go, but the Bengals own the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to a victory over Baltimore earlier
this season. So this game is huge for both teams.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, it looks like they will play Sunday without star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The line on this game was moving toward Cincinnati as kick-off approached. Which way are we
going here with our free NFL betting pick?
NFL Betting Lines
The Week 16 NFL betting odds opened Cincinnati at -2.5 over Baltimore, with an over/under of
right around 44. But when news hit that Jackson was probably out, the betting action goosed the Bengals to -4.5.
Ravens-Bengals NFL Betting Preview
Baltimore lugs a three-game losing streak into Sunday after falling at home to Green Bay last
week 31-30. The Ravens scored the first seven points of the game, later led 14-7 but took a 14-14
tie into halftime. Baltimore then gave up the first seven points of the second half, trailed 31-17
midway through the fourth quarter, scored twice to get within one point with 40 seconds left but came up empty on a bold 2-point conversion attempt to lose.
The Ravens did, however, come back to cover the spread as – crazy as it sounds – 9.5-point home
dogs.
Sure, Baltimore played without QB Lamar Jackson last week, but 9.5 points were way too much for that game.
Baltimore actually out-gained Green Bay 354-346 and out-rushed the Packers 143-96 but got
called for a couple of crucial penalties at terrible times, which probably cost them six or seven
points.
So the Ravens have now out-gained each of their last four opponents and out-rushed each of their last nine foes.
Two weeks ago, Baltimore lost at Cleveland 24-22, although that game wasn’t quite as close as that final score might indicate. Three weeks ago, the Ravens lost at Pittsburgh 20-19, also on a failed 2-point conversion in the final minute. So Baltimore’s last three losses have come by a total of four points!
The big news surrounding the Ravens is QB Jackson, who is not expected to be ready for
Sunday. But back-up Tyler Huntley has performed admirably in Jackson’s place and nearly won
the game last week.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, just stopped a two-game losing skid with a 15-10 win at Denver last
week. The Bengals led 3-0 early and 6-3 at the half, fell down 10-9 in the third quarter but
immediately retook the lead on a long Burrow-to-Boyd touchdown pass and held on from there
for the victory.
Cincy actually got out-gained by the Broncos 292-249 and out-rushed 133-113 but forced the only turnover of the game deep inside its own territory in the fourth quarter, basically saving the
game.
The Bengals have now been out-gained and out-rushed four times over their last seven games.
They’re also only 3-4, both SU and ATS over that span.
At 8-6 overall, Cincinnati and Baltimore are tied for first place in the AFC North, with Pittsburgh
and Cleveland right on their asses. But the Bengals own the head-to-head tiebreaker on the
Ravens thanks to a 41-17 victory in Baltimore back in October. So Cincinnati can earn the
season sweep Sunday while the Ravens could really use a split.
Ravens-Bengals Recent History
Baltimore beat Cincinnati five times in a row from 2018 through 2020, but the Bengals won the
first meeting this season back in October 41-17. The Ravens led that game in the third quarter
17-13 but Cincinnati scored the last 28 points for the win. Also, that game played over a total of 46.
- Get more details: Ravens at Benglas Week 16 Betting Stats
NFL Betting Trends
Home teams are 109-112 SU, 98-123 ATS in the NFL this season.
Favorites are 137-86 SU, 106-117 ATS in the NFL this season.
Totals Report
- The totals are split 7-7 in Ravens games this season, which are averaging 46 total points.
- The Under is 8-6 in Bengals games this season, which are averaging 48 points.
- The Under is 123-100 in the NFL this season.
