The top two teams in the AFC North are on a collision course this coming Sunday, as the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens. Will the Bengals stop Baltimore on its tracks? Or will the Ravens add Cincy to their growing list of victims? Check out our preview of this game below.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals are back in the win column after annihilating the Detroit Lions on the road in Week 6, 34-11. Burrow went 19/29 for 271 passing yards and three touchdowns with an interception against the Lions. There were still lulls on the offense of Cincy, but the Bengals can definitely move the chains with Burrow at the helm of the passing attack, Ja’Marr Chase downfield, and Joe Mixon rushing the ball. Chase had 97 receiving yards on four catches against Detroit, while Mixon rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries. Cincinnati is a team that’s capable of offense. It may not be as good as the Ravens, but the Bengals’ attack can wound defenses. Chase can burn any defensive back and those around him like Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd can stretch the field for each other. Cincinnati just beads to avoid turnovers and keep playing with discipline to maximize its time with the ball against the Ravens.
The Bengals entered Week 6 fourth in the league with just 4.8 penalties per game. They are also 5-2 against the spread in their last seven road games versus a team with a winning record at home.
The Ravens were the favorites last Sunday at home against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, but they still shocked a whole lot of people with how they beat Justin Herbert and company. Baltimore thumped the Chargers, 34-6. The Chargers are no pushovers. They entered Week 6 with a 4-1 record and a high-flying offense, but that didn’t seem to matter to the Ravens, who shut down LA’s passing attack. Herbert passed for just 195 yards and a touchdown with an interception on only 22/39 completions. If that’s the kind of defense the Ravens will complement their Lamar Jackson-led attack in Week 7, then things could get ugly quick for the Bengals. The Baltimore’s offense, meanwhile, could look to run the ball down the throat of Cincy’s defense after scoring three rushing touchdowns in Week 6.
The Ravens are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games versus AFC North teams.
