Sunday, October 11, 2020, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, 1 p.m. ET
Bengals at Ravens Betting Preview: Bengals (+12.5/-110), Ravens (-12.5/-110)
Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow is pumping life into the Bengals’ franchise as he has quickly displayed why he was the easy call to be the No. 1 overall pick. Burrow is the first rookie in NFL history to record three straight 300-yard outings and he will try to stretch that streak against the Ravens. He has passed for 1,121 yards and six touchdowns against two interceptions.
Running back Joe Mixon started slow with 164 yards in three games but regained his form with a season-high 151 rushing yards in last Sunday’s 33-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mixon scored a career-best three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) while looking like the guy who topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons. The Bengals are allowing 401.5 yards per game but defensive end Carl Lawson is playing well with 3.5 of the team’s eight sacks.
Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday’s practice and is hopeful of making his season debut. Having the eight-time Pro Bowler back would make a big difference.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are averaging 30.5 points but aren’t displaying the same scintillating amount of firepower they did last season when they scored 33.1 per game.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s downfield arsenal of throws haven’t always been on target and he even had a career-low (as a starter) 97-yard game against Kansas City last month. Jackson is frustrated with the production and hopeful of getting the offense moving in the right direction against the Bengals.
Jackson has just 769 passing yards but has seven touchdowns against only one interception. Tight end Mark Andrews says a breakout is near and that part of the problems stem from defenses being extra motivated to stop the club. Speaking of defenses, you can expect the Ravens to do all they can to confuse Burrow.
Baltimore is fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (18.3) so the unit is still stingy. Cornerbacks Marcus Peters (thigh) and Jimmy Smith (knee) are nursing injuries.
Bengals at Ravens Betting Pick for October 11, 2020
The Bengals have lost three straight meetings with the Ravens and aren’t ready to end the slide. Burrow might notch his fourth straight 300-yard outing but doesn’t figure to be able to pull off an upset.
Jackson is motivated to get the offense clicking and the sight of another Heisman Trophy winner will surely help get him pumped up.
Bengals at Ravens Betting Pick:
Ravens 41, Bengals 23
Bengals at Ravens Betting Pick for October 11, 2020
The Ravens have topped 30 points in all three of their wins so there seems to be a good chance of that happening again. And Burrow’s presence assures the Bengals won’t be held to 10 or 7 points.
Bengals at Ravens Best Bet: OVER 51.5 points (-110)
