Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up to regain momentum as they prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Bengals are determined to bounce back following their defeat on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week One.
Their performance in that game left much to be desired, managing only a solitary field goal.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens are eager to extend their lead over the Bengals, who were initially favored to top the AFC North standings. In their Week One matchup, the Ravens emerged victorious against the Houston Texans.
The Cincinnati Bengals are -3 in this game over Baltimore, with a total of 45.5 points.
Ravens Controlled Week One
When observing the Baltimore Ravens’ performance in Week One, they displayed a commendable level of play, with one standout development being the emergence of their rookie receiver, Zay Flowers.
Selected as the 23rd overall pick from Boston College in the draft, Flowers made an immediate impact by leading the team with an impressive nine receptions for a total of 78 yards. Although he didn’t manage to find the end zone, the rookie quickly established himself as a favored target for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
While Lamar Jackson’s performance wasn’t stellar, he efficiently fulfilled his role as the Ravens’ signal-caller. He attempted 22 passes, successfully completing 17 of them, accumulating 169 passing yards without throwing a touchdown pass. The Ravens’ offensive touchdowns in this game were achieved on the ground, with J.K. Dobbins scoring the first, followed by two from Justice Hill.
However, the victory was not without its setbacks. Dobbins sustained a devastating injury during the game, tearing his Achilles tendon, sidelining him for the entire season. Gus Edwards stepped up to contribute to Baltimore’s rushing attack, which ultimately surpassed 100 yards.
Bengals Want to Forget Week One
Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals had a Week One outing they’d likely want to erase from memory. Joe Burrow struggled throughout the game, completing only 14 of 31 passes for a meager 82 yards.
The Bengals’ star receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, managed to secure just five passes for 39 yards during the loss. Both Burrow and Chase entered the 2023 season with strong NFL MVP odds, but their first showing left much to be desired.
Even Joe Mixon, the Bengals’ running back, couldn’t find his groove, rushing 13 times for a modest 56 yards. A collective effort involving five other players yielded a mere 19 yards on seven carries. Remarkably, despite avoiding turnovers, the Bengals could not advance the football effectively.
It’s worth noting that the Bengals’ defensive performance was relatively solid in the game, although they faced an average Cleveland Browns offense. The defense can hardly be blamed for the loss.
Looking ahead, the Bengals are gearing up to face the Ravens and then the Rams in consecutive weeks at home. Following that, they embark on back-to-back road trips to take on the Titans and the Arizona Cardinals, a challenging stretch that will test their mettle in the 2023 season.
Bengals Bounce Back with Home Win
The Cincinnati Bengals cannot afford to fall to 0-2 and be two games back of Baltimore. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase figure it out, and the defense slows down Lamar Jackson. The Bengals. Bet the Bengals -3, as they win 28-20 over the Ravens on Sunday! We hope you enjoyed our look at this great AFC North game.
We look forward to this game, and all the games on the Week 2 slate of the National Football League!
