Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens (10/9/22): Odds, Predictions, Depth Chart

The Bengals and Ravens meet up Sunday in an AFC North showdown with early stakes for how the division might shake out. Though the Bengals swept the Ravens last season, scoring 41 points in both games, the Ravens already look much better to start this season. Let’s check out the matchups, injuries, and odds to figure out which team will move to 3-2.

Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds

The Ravens (-3) are home favorites versus the visiting Bengals (+3). The over/under is set at 47.5. The low spread indicates that Vegas could see this game going either way, and is one of the toughest week 5 matchups to predict.

Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Baltimore Ravens Prediction

The Bengals and Ravens both come into this game at 2-2. The Bengals started this season in classic super bowl hangover fashion, going 0-2 and QB Joe Burrow throwing four interceptions in the opening game. The Bengals are slowly trending upward, winning their last two games and knocking down the previously undefeated Dolphins. Their offensive line remains their biggest concern, as opposing defenses have sacked Burrow 16 times through four games, tied for second most in the league.

The Ravens have been almost all Lamar Jackson through four weeks. Despite being a run first team in recent seasons, the Ravens have had little success running the ball outside of Lamar Jackson with their leading rusher, Justice Hill, only having 125 rushing yards. Instead, the team has relied on Jackson to make out of this world plays almost every game like this highlight below.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED 🤯🤯🤯🤯

Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/kQOms2KPK9

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 2, 2022

Thankfully for Jackson and the Ravens, wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Rashod Bateman have stepped up alongside TE Mark Andrews as weapons for Jackson to target.

This game is a certainly a toss up, but I’m taking the Ravens to beat their division rival at home. Though Joe Burrow had one of his best games versus the Ravens last season throwing for a career high 525 yards, the Ravens are a much healthier team and limited MVP candidate Josh Allen to just 213 passing yards last week. The Bengals offense has also not looked the same this season and have capitalized the past couple weeks by beating the Jets and the Dolphins when Tua got injured.
Prediction: Ravens 28-23, Over hits.

Betting Trends

• Ravens are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss
• Bengals are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC

Key Injuries

Cincinnati Bengals Injuries: Tee Higgins (Q), Devin Asiasi (Q) Joe Bachie (Q), Tycen Anderson (Q), Khalid Kareem (Q)

Baltimore Ravens Injuries: Rashod Bateman (Q), Justice Hill (Q), Patrick Mekari (Q), Justin Houston (Q), Ronnie Stanley (Q), Trent Harris (Q),

Key Matchups

Will Tee Higgins be able to get going against a tough Ravens secondary? How will this Bengals front handle Lamar Jackson’s elusiveness? Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Bengals vs Ravens below.

Tee Higgins/Ja’Marr Chase vs Ravens Secondary

With a lot of defensive attention naturally going to Ja’Marr Chase after his electric rookie season when he put up 1455 yards and 13 touchdowns, Tee Higgins has had the chance to shine. Higgins has put up 217 receiving yards the past two games, including this 58 yard touchdown.

TO THE HOUSE, @teehiggins5‼️#TNF | 📺 @NFLonPrime, @WCPO pic.twitter.com/Nj350dFYlg

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 30, 2022

The Ravens secondary is slowly getting healthier as cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey begin to return to normal form after their injuries last season. They did a great job holding Bills QB Josh Allen to only 52% completion and 5.9 YPA, but will need to keep it up for a second week versus Joe Burrow and these star pass catchers.

Lamar Jackson vs Bengals Defensive Front

Despite their 2-2 record, Lamar Jackson has played at an MVP level and carried the Ravens so far. Not only is Lamar Jackson tied for the lead in passing touchdowns and has the 4th best passer rating at 105.1, but he’s also a top 10 rusher. We’ve always known what Lamar can do with his legs, but he’s currently running for more yards per carry than ever before, averaging an absurd 8.5 yards per carry.
Though the Bengals have the 4th ranked run defense in football, facing Lamar Jackson will be their toughest test yet. The Bengals have good players on their line including Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, but have struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks, only recording 7 sacks, 4th fewest in the NFL. They will have to pursue Jackson carefully to keep him from escaping for many big plays and rushes.

Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart

QB: Joe Burrow
RB1: Joe Mixon
RB2: Samaje Perine
LWR: Ja’Marr Chase
RWR: Tee Higgins
SWR: Tyler Boyd
TE1: Hayden Hurst

Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB1: J.K. Dobbins
RB2: Kenyan Drake
LWR: Rashod Bateman
RWR: Devin Duvernay
SWR: James Proche II
TE1: Mark Andrews