Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds, Predictions and Best Bets for Wild Card Weekend SNF

• The Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Weekend edition of Sunday Night Football
• With Lamar Jackson still sidelined by injury, the Ravens visit Cincinnati for a second straight week as underdogs
• Read on for all the Ravens vs Bengals odds and trends ahead of Sunday night’s AFC matchup at Paycor Stadium

The Ravens will be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson when they host the gridiron on NFL Wild Card Weekend for a Sunday Night Football matchup with the division rivals, the Bengals. Read on for an analysis of the Ravens vs Bengals odds and our top SNF prediction.

Jackson used social media this week to break the news that he is not yet fit to return to play after being sidelined by injury for the team’s dismal 1-3 SU finish to their schedule. Perched as the No. 3 seed in the AFC, the Bengals get set to host the Ravens in Ohio for a second straight after marching to a decisive 27-16 win over Baltimore in last weekend’s regular-season finale.

Ravens vs Bengals Odds

*Odds taken at Caesars Sportsbook Ohio on January 14, 2023. 

With Jackson now confirmed as out for Sunday night’s contest, the Bengals have vaulted to 8.5-point favorites in the NFL odds since opening as 5.5-point chalk. Since opening at 43.5, the total has been in steady decline, tumbling to 40.5.

Start time of Sunday night’s contest is set for 8:15 pm ET at Paycor Stadium.

Ravens vs Bengals Recent History

Sunday night’s matchup marks the third meeting of the season between these AFC North rivals. These teams split a pair of regular-season meetings, capped by Cincinnati’s victory last weekend, which marked the Bengals’ third victory in four head-to-head clashes.

The Bengals have also covered three times during their current 3-1-0 run while limiting the Ravens to just 18.3 points per game over that stretch. However, with each of Cincy’s three recent wins over the Ravens coming by double-digit margins, the OVER has gone 3-1 over their past four dates.

Baltimore Ravens Betting Outlook

Lamar Jackson’s continued absence from the lineup deals a massive blow to the Ravens’ hopes of embarking on a deep playoff run this time around. The sixth-seeded Ravens have struggled to generate offense.

Starting with the Week 13 clash with Denver in which Jackson suffered his current knee injury, Baltimore has averaged just 12.5 points per game, with the Ravens offense producing just five total touchdowns over that stretch.

Thank you everyone for your support and concerns regarding my injuries. I want to give you all an update as I am in the recovery process. I’ve suffered a PCL grade 2 sprain on the borderline of a strain 3. There is still inflammation surrounding my knee and my knee

— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) January 12, 2023

Complicating matters further for the Ravens is the uncertain status of backup Tyler Huntley, who remains pegged as a game-time decision due to a shoulder injury that kept him out of the lineup last weekend, and limited him at practice this week. Should Huntley be unable to go, look for the Ravens to give the nod to Anthony Brown.

The undrafted rookie pivot struggled last weekend in his first career NFL start, connecting on just 198-of-46 pass attempts for 286 yards, no scores, and two picks.

The upside for Baltimore is the continued strong play of its stout defense. Last week’s loss to Cincinnati marked just the second time in nine games that the Ravens D has surrendered more than 16 points. Indeed, the Ravens’ rush defense has allowed just two scoring runs over that stretch, and limited Bengals rushers to just 55 total yards last weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Outlook

The Bengals showed no ill effects from an unexpected extended layoff in last week’s victory over the Ravens. The team saw limited action in Week 17 before their Monday Night Football matchup with Buffalo was canceled due to Damar Hamlin’s on-field medical emergency.

Indeed, the unscheduled break has likely contributed to the good health that this team enjoys entering the defense of their AFC title.

This game lines up well for Tee Higgins to put on a show.

Didn’t get a chance to play in the Week 5 game in Baltimore due to injury.

Was at his best last year during the playoff run.

Has a clear size advantage over CB in Marcus Peters.

Watch for fireworks from #85. pic.twitter.com/69efZHFA8K

— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 14, 2023

The most notable exception this week has been Tee Higgins. Used sparingly last week after he was directly involved in the play that led to Hamlin’s on-field collapse, Higgins missed practice earlier this week due to an undisclosed before returning as a full participant on Friday.

The 23-year-old receiver has played a huge role in the Bengals’ schedule-ending eight-game win streak, with scoring catches in four of his past five outings while also topping 100 yards on three occasions over that stretch.

Ravens vs Bengals Prediction

Faced with massive uncertainty under center against a high-powered opponent that is peaking at the right time, the Ravens’ best hope lies with their defense.

Indeed, Baltimore must find a way to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s debacle, in which they spotted a 17-0 lead before recording two first downs. Accordingly, look for the Bengals to put the rest of the playoff pack on notice with a convincing win and cover in the Wild Card odds.

The Picks: Bengals -8.5 (-110); OVER 40.5 (-110)

2022 NFL Season Picks Record: 8-12; -2.6 units

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