During the NFL playoffs, the rise of the Cincinnati Bengals will be tested. They are once again darlings of the league, with ever-improving odds to make the 2023 Super Bowl. But some view their strong close to the regular season as a flash in the pan—a hot streak that won't be sustainable in the playoffs.
Skeptics argue a reality check is coming. As it turns out, though, that reality check may not come during their Wild Card Weekend matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Look at the latest NFL online betting odds for Ravens vs. Bengals, courtesy of the folks over at BetOnline. You can see that linemakers are heavily favoring Cincinnati:
Be sure to double-check these online NFL betting markets until you submit your NFL Wild Card prediction. Our odds for Bengals vs. Ravens are accurate entering Wednesday, January 11. That gives linemakers plenty of time to adjust their odds based on the action before kick-off, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 15, at 8:15 p.m. EST.
Here's the thing: You don't have to worry about missing out on the most accurate NFL playoff betting lines if you sign up with the right odds provider. That's why we compiled reviews of all the top online sportsbooks. These thorough overviews are designed specifically to help you spot the best NFL playoff betting sites in the industry.
And now, let's get to our Ravens vs. Bengals predictions, including picks for the moneyline, point spread, and over/under.
This is the Reason Why the Cincinnati Bengals Are So Heavily Favored Over the Baltimore Ravens
It isn't often that you see a spread this large with two quality teams involved. This is especially true when both squads just played each other to close the regular season. Recent matchups have a way of expanding scouting reports and ensuring the next showdown is more tightly contested by both sides.
But this isn't an ordinary situation. The Ravens have been without superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson since Week 13 while he recovers from an injury. And while Baltimore has said the signal-caller would try to give it a go on Sunday, it's now been over a month since he took the field. They cannot expect him to be his usual mobile and strong-armed self right out of the gate.
That, naturally, is a huge problem for the Ravens. Their offense is entirely dependent on Jackson creating with his legs and arm. Not surprisingly, Baltimore has failed to score more than 17 points in a single game since the QB went down, and they're averaging just 10.7 points per game overall during this stretch.
Cincinnati shouldn't have any trouble taking this one. Quarterback Joe Burrow has made legitimate strides again this year running the offense, and the Bengals have one of the best-rushing defenses in the NFL. Even if Jackson can give it a go, Cincinnati will leave the Ravens entirely reliant on their ability to complete downfield passes.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (-335)
Is the Point Spread Too Steep for Cincinnati to Cover vs. Baltimore?
Here are the latest NFL point spread betting odds for the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens matchup this Sunday:
- Cincinnati Bengals, -7 (-115)
- Baltimore Ravens, +7 (-105)
Beating the Ravens by more than a touchdown is not too much of a stretch for the Bengals. They just did it in Week 18.
Sure, Lamar Jackson's potential return could change the calculus. But this presumes he's fully healthy. And nothing coming out of Baltimore suggests that's the case.
What's more, the Bengals have dominated at home this year. They enter Wild Card Weekend with a 6-1 record in Cincinnati, and their victories have come by an average of nearly 15 points per game.
OSB Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals, -7 (-115)
The Lamar Jackson Injury Will Determine the Fate of the Ravens-Bengals Over/Under
Below you can see the latest NFL over/under betting odds for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals:
- Over 42.5 (-110)
- Under 42.5 (-110)
Rolling with the under here feels risky if you think Lamar Jackson is going to play. The Ravens have three-touchdown potential with him in the fold. And the Bengals, for their part, are averaging over 26 points per game on the season—and faring even better at home.
Still, the playoffs are a different beast. The weather report calls for low temperatures in Cincinnati on Sunday, which could slow down the pace of both offenses. We also expect the Bengals to try controlling the clock if and when they jump out to an early lead. Burrow might have the green light to sling it in the first half, but the offense could wind up leaning heavily on the run over the course of the final two quarters.
Re-evaluate this decision if it's announced that Jackson will take snaps for the Ravens for the first time in nearly two months. Right now, though, the under feels like the correct bet.
OSB Prediction: Under 42.5 (-110)
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