The Baltimore Ravens can take a big step toward winning their first AFC North title in four years when they square off against the rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football game at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens (7-3) sit atop the division with a one-game lead over Pittsburgh and a Cleveland team that just lost quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season. Cincinnati (5-4), which has won the AFC North the last two years, sits in last place in the division and would effectively fall three games behind Baltimore with a loss on TNF. Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will sit with a hamstring injury.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. Baltimore is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Bengals vs. Ravens odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 46.5. Before you make any Ravens vs. Bengals picks or NFL predictions, you need to see the NFL betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 174-125 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 28-17 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has zeroed in on Ravens vs. Bengals and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can see the model’s picks only at SportsLine. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Bengals vs. Ravens:
- Bengals vs. Ravens spread: Baltimore -4
- Bengals vs. Ravens over/under: 46.5 points
- Bengals vs. Ravens money line: Baltimore -190, Cincinnati +160
- BAL: Ravens lead the league in rushing yards per game (154.9)
- CIN: Bengals are tied for the NFL lead in turnover differential (+10)
- Bengals vs. Ravens: See picks here
Why the Ravens can cover
Quarterback Lamar Jackson has a history of success against Cincinnati. The former NFL MVP is 7-1 in his career as a starter against the Bengals. The lone loss came in 2021. In those eight games, he has completed 61.8% of his passes and averaged 196.3 passing yards and 79.5 rushing yards per game. He also has 14 total touchdowns versus four interceptions.
In addition, Baltimore faces a Cincinnati team that will be without one of its key offensive weapons. Receiver Tee Higgins missed Sunday’s loss to the Texans with a hamstring injury, and coach Zac Taylor suggested that Higgins would have a difficult time returning to play on a short week. Higgins is tied for second on the team in receiving touchdowns (two) and third in receptions (27) and receiving yards (328). See which team to pick here.
Why the Bengals can cover
Cincinnati has an elite receiver in Ja’Marr Chase. The third-year wideout from LSU averages 87.4 receiving yards per game in his career. That’s the second best average in NFL history (minimum 10 games), behind only his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson (98.1). Last week against Houston, Chase had five catches for 124 yards and a 64-yard touchdown.
In addition, the Bengals face a Baltimore team that has a habit of blowing big leads late in games. Since 2021, the Ravens have lost nine games when leading by seven or more points in the fourth quarter. That’s the most by any team in a three-year span in NFL history. See which team to pick here.
How to make Ravens vs. Bengals picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under the point total, calling for 46 total points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in over 50% of simulations. You can see the model’s NFL picks and analysis only at SportsLine.
So who wins Ravens vs. Bengals on Thursday Night Football, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Ravens vs. Bengals spread you should jump on, all from the advanced model that is up well over $7,000 on top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
