Bengals vs Ravens Picks & Odds: AFC North Rivals Battle In Baltimore On SNF

The Baltimore Ravens (2-2 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) hope to bounce back from their second defeat like they did their last one when they host the Cincinnati Bengals (2-2, 2-2) in the Week 5 Sunday Night Football matchup.

The Ravens are riding a five-game home losing skid and led their last two there by 17 points or more, but they have won their two road games by double digits.

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Bengals vs Ravens Sportsbook Odds

Baltimore saw NFL MVP candidate Lamar Jackson get picked off in the end zone last Sunday en route to a 23-20 home loss to the Bills as a 3-point home underdog after leading 20-3. The Ravens are down to 3-point home favorites for this AFC North game against the Bengals after Sportsbook at -3.5 with the total dropping slightly from 48.5 to 48.

Cincinnati has won its last two games following an 0-2 start and will have extra rest after knocking off the previously unbeaten Miami Dolphins 27-15 in the Week 4 Thursday Night Football matchup and covering as 4-point home favorites.

Baltimore and Cincinnati have Miami as a common opponent so far, but the latter was able to take advantage of Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion situation. Tagovailoa had thrown a league-best six touchdown passes two weeks earlier against the Ravens, leading the Dolphins to a 42-38 victory.

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Cincinnati’s Defense Gets Stronger During Two-Game Winning Streak

The Bengals have surrendered a combined 27 points in their last two games, and that stingy defense has been essential to their turnaround.

While they lost their first two games by a field goal, they got behind early both times, coincidentally trailing each 17-3 in the second quarter before rallying to make them competitive at the end.

The defense has given up only one touchdown since then along with seven field goals, setting the tone for the offense to put together quality scoring drives without the pressure of playing catch-up. Cincinnati’s defense will again need to start strong in order to have a chance to win.

Baltimore’s Home Losing Slump Mostly Against Non-Divisional Foes

The Ravens have been favored in only two of their last five home games, so from that perspective, it is not too surprising that they ended up losing them.

In the two games, they were favored, the point spread closed no higher than -3.5, which was the Sportsbook line for this one. All five games have been decided by four points or less, with four decided by three or less.

In other words, they have been extremely competitive regardless of the win-loss result. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the lone AFC North opponent to beat Baltimore during that stretch, a 16-13 upset in Week 18 of last year that got them into the playoffs.

Bengals: Keys To Win

Cincinnati’s offensive line has done a much better job protecting quarterback Joe Burrow in the last two games, as he has been sacked just three times compared to 13 in the first two.

When Burrow has time to throw the ball, he is as good as any signal-caller in the league, which is one of the main reasons why the Bengals went to the Super Bowl last season. If he can continue to dodge the pass rush, Cincinnati can pull off the road upset.

Ravens: Keys To Win

Defensively, Baltimore needs to be better. After posting an impressive 24-9 win over the New York Jets as 6.5-point road favorites in the season opener, the Ravens have given up an average of more than 30 points in their last three games.

They were known for their defense in the past, and now this team lives and dies with Jackson’s playmaking abilities. To win here on SNF and cover the spread, Baltimore’s D must show up and step up.

NFL Computer Pick: Ravens -3

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