NFL Week 1 Predictions Ravens vs. Bengals 9/10/17
Will the Bengals knock off their AFC North rivals the Ravens today when the two teams square off at 1:00PM ET?
The Matchup: Ravens at Bengals, 1:00PM ET, Cincinnati
According to oddsmakers, the Bengals are 3-point home favorites in today’s matchup. The over/under, meanwhile, currently sits at 41.5 points.
Baltimore opened as a 1.5-point underdog. That said, the line jumped to a field goal at most sports books. As for the line the total, the number hit the board at 43 but was bet down to 41.5.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are dealing with a host of injuries, mainly on offense. Joe Flacco has dealt with a back injury all offseason. He didn’t suit up this preseason and the entire Baltimore offense is a bit of a mystery heading into the season. Flacco only had a week’s worth of practices to prepare for the opener today in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati will be down a pair of starters on defense as linebacker Vontaze Burfict and cornerback Adam Jones are suspended. Rookie receiver John Ross is officially questionable for today, while CJ Uzomah and Shawn Williams have each been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup.
Our Prediction
There were reports this week that Flacco didn’t miss a beat despite missing the entire preseason due to a back injury. But are you telling me there won’t be any rust for the veteran when he steps on the field today? The guy has had about six practices for an offense that had question marks even before his injury.
The Bengals, meanwhile, have won six of their last seven games against the Ravens and five straight meetings between the two teams at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati has also won three consecutive season openers, while Baltimore has lost three of four.
This isn’t the same Ravens team that won the Super Bowl in the past five seasons, and regularly makes the playoffs. Baltimore needs a roster overhaul and a few drafts to re-stock the cupboard. I love the Bengals here.
NFL Week 1 Predictions: Cincinnati Bengals -3
