It’s an important AFC North matchup on Thursday Night Football as the Bengals visit Baltimore. Back in Week 5, the Ravens knocked off Cincinnati on the road in a thrilling 41-38 overtime win. If that game was an indication, we should be in store for another exciting game on Thursday.
Cincinnati Bengals
After starting 0-3, Cincinnati has reeled off 4 wins in the last 6 to get back into the divisional race. Joe Burrow led the way last week against the Raiders throwing for 251 yards and five touchdowns, his second game with 5 TDs. The other game? Against the Ravens. It seems like the offense is back on track, 7th overall in points scored with 26.2. Chase Brown has emerged as the team’s No. 1 running back and had a career day against Las Vegas, a career-high 120 yards and a touchdown, his sixth in the last six games. On the other side of the ball, Trey Hendrickson had a career game, four sacks against the Raiders, and now he leads the NFL with 11. All of the Bengals wins have come against teams under .500 while four of their five losses have been against teams currently in a playoff spot.
Baltimore Ravens
There may not be a better 1-2 punch in the NFL than Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Jackson 3 TD passes and just three incompletions against the Broncos for a perfect QB rating while King Henry did his thing, rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Through nine games, the running back has 1,052 and 10 rushing TDs and is averaging 116.9 yards per game. Baltimore has had at least 100 yards rushing in 42 straight games, and faces a team that allows 130 YPG. And in their previous meeting, the Ravens racked up 175 yards, 92 from Henry.
Prediction: Bengals +6
While all signs point to the Ravens in this spot, don’t count out the Bengals. They are desperately trying to creep back into the race and losing to Baltimore, at home earlier this season doesn’t sit well. Lamar Jackson hasn’t done well as a betting favorite against divisional foes, just 10-13 ATS while Burrow thrives as an underdog, going 14-9 against the spread. Tee Higgins is likely back too so that will help the Bengals. This could be another field goal type of game so let’s take the points before the number goes lower.
Player Prop Best Bets
Derrick Henry: OVER Rushing Total
Whatever the number is, all Henry needs is one big gallop. He’s had two 80+ yard runs already and is averaging 117 yards per game.
Tee Higgins: Anytime TD +162
Higgins poses a big threat for the Ravens and can exploit the secondary like he did in their other meeting. Higgins had 9 catches, 83 yards and two touchdowns. All signs point to him returning Thursday and should find spots to get into the end zone.
*Props have yet to be released at time of writing, but check website for latest odds*
Game Betting Odds
Bengals +6
Ravens -6
Total: 52.5
Recent Betting Trends
Ravens have covered in 5 straight matchups, winning three in a row
Bengals are 7-3 SU in the last 10 November games
Baltimore is 5-1-1 ATS in the past 7 games
