Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens Wild Card Predictions, Picks & Best Bets

Joe Burrow and the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals begin their quest to return to the Super Bowl when they host the Baltimore Ravens in a Wild Card Weekend showdown on Sunday night. 

The Bengals (12-4) and Ravens (10-6) met just last week, a 27-16 Cincy home win in which Baltimore sat several key players. The Ravens won the first matchup, 19-17 back in Week 5. 

Cincinnati is now at -9.5 in the latest Ravens vs. Bengals odds on NFL betting sites, with news that QB Lamar Jackson is likely out for Baltimore (Jackson actually cleared the air on his injury Thursday night on Twitter, all but cementing his absence this Sunday night). The Over/Under is 40.5 points, the lowest total of the six-game weekend.

Bookies.com NFL handicapper Adam Thompson – focused on hitting over 60% of his NFL picks for a fourth-consecutive season – reveals his NFL betting picks and props for the third-and-final showdown of these AFC North rivals. 

Ravens vs. Bengals Point Spread Pick

Jackson it trending in the wrong direction as of publish, but the Ravens still have a premier run game and a defense that allowed 12.2 ppg for the five weeks prior to Week 18. The Bengals have had issues, and less success, against run-first teams. 

For a team that’s allowing so few points, getting nearly 10 points seems like a bargain. Only twice have the Ravens received 3.5 or more points on the spread, and both times they’ve covered. Take the points on betting apps and look for John Harbaugh to take the air out of the game. 

Ravens vs. Bengals Over/Under Best Bet

This total has dropped 3.5 points with Jackson not expected to play. It’s still the highest total of any Ravens game in five weeks. They’ve all been at 39 or less, and four of them still hit Under. 

We know what Cincinnati’s offense can do, but its defense allows just 18 ppg at home. If the Ravens get over 14 points it would be a pleasant surprise. The Bengals are likely to get into the 20s but not much higher; they managed only 17 against the fully-stocked Ravens D in Week 5. The Under has hit in 10 straight Baltimore primetime games. We like the action on the spread, but the Under is worth considering on betting sites.

Even better, Ohio sports betting is now live so you can get an amazing deal of first-bet insurance up to $1,000 when you sign up now at BetMGM Ohio.

Ravens vs. Bengals Moneyline Pick

The like the Ravens to cover, but they’re getting nearly 10 points. Can they win without Jackson? The short answer? Probably not. Under Huntley at QB, the team is averaging 19.9 ppg, and hasn’t scored over 17 in the last six games without him, compared to 26.6 ppg with him. 

Still, at +350 on the moneyline, with a defense that’s shut down the best and a run game that can drain the clock, it might be worth a small play on Baltimore. Cincinnati is likely to win, but at -435 we’re not backing it. 

Best Ravens vs. Bengals Player Props

J.K. Dobbins: Over 61.5 Rushing Yards

Odds: -110 at BetMGM

Dobbins didn’t play in Week 18, but the previous four weeks he received 13-17 carries in three of those games, and totaled 120, 125 and 93 yards in them. If Baltimore is to have a chance, it’s ensure Huntley doesn’t have to take over and make sure Burrow doesn’t either. With Gus Edwards potentially out, Dobbins should get 20-plus touches, and way over this total. 

Joe Mixon: Over 25.5 Receiving Yards

Odds: -110 at BetMGM

As awesome as Baltimore’s defense has been, teams have been able to  get the ball to pass-catching Rbs to considerable success. They’ve allowed the fifth-fewest rush yards but the sixth-most receiving yards to backs. Case in point: Mixon had 11 carries for only 27 yards but five receptions for 41 yards last week vs. Baltimore.