Ravens vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction
The stage was set for a potential battle for the division crown between these squads. But if reports suggesting that Monday night’s postponed date with Buffalo will no be played are accurate, the Bengals will hit the field on Sunday having already clinched the division on the strength of win percentage. That is disappointing news for the Ravens, who remained in reach of the top of the standings despite dropping a 16-13 decision to Pittsburgh last weekend.
Winners of seven straight, the Bengals have held steady since opening as 7-point favourites, and enjoy the support of 75% of sports bettors. The total has been in steady decline since opening at 42.5, dipping to 40.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Paycor Stadium marks the second and final meeting of the regular season between these AFC North rivals. The Ravens tallied a narrow 19-17 victory when they hosted the Bengals in Baltimore, and have now earned the win in six of eight head-to-head dates since September 2018. However, it is Cincy that has been the more reliable bet, covering in three straight clashes with Baltimore, including a lopsided 41-17 victory when the Ravens last visited in December 2021. These teams have produced mixed results in totals betting, with the OVER/UNDER going 4-4 over their past eight matchups.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ recent offensive woes continued in last weekend’s loss to the desperate Pittsburgh Steelers. With star quarterback Lamar Jackson missing a fourth straight game due to injury, the Ravens once again stumbled out of the gate, spotting Pittsburgh an early 3-0 advantage before claiming a short-lived lead with a pair of scores before the half. Indeed, with backup Tyler Huntley at the helm, Baltimore has tallied just three total first-quarter points over the past three games, and mustered just 11.8 points per game over the past five weeks. Complicating matters are the shoulder and wrist injuries that Huntley is nursing, which have limited him at practice this week. Should Huntley be unable to go, it would open the door for rookie Anthony Brown to make his first NFL start. Brown has seen very limited action this season, making just five pass attempts in spot duty when the team battled Pittsburgh four weeks ago. Whoever is under center may have to make do without receiver Desean Jackson, who has missed practice all week due to illness.
Cincinnati Bengals
Until the fate of Cincinnati’s postponed Week 17 date with the Bills is resolved, it is tough to know for sure what their game plan will be for Sunday. With the benefit of unexpected rest, the Bengals are set to enter their regular season finale in good health. But even if the Bengals are proclaimed division champs before Sunday, they may elect to give their regulars at least some playing time on Sunday, simply to maintain the steady rhythm that lifted them to wins in each iof their seven previous contests. Quarterback Joe Burrow has continued to flash the form that made him the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season, tossing for 16 scores over his past six outings.
However, the greatest concern facing the Bengals entering the weekend is the state of mind of the players in the wake of the shocking on-field events that took place on Monday night. Of particular concern is Tee Higgins, who was involved in the play that immediately preceded Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse on Monday night. Racked by guilt, Higgins has reportedly spent all his available time this week at the Cincinnati hospital where Hamlin is being treated, but has enjoyed support not only from teammates, but also Hamlin’s family, as well as Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who has been public in his defence of the Cincy receiver. Prior to Monday’s ill-fated game, Higgins was on a roll, scoring in four straight outings, and will be key to this team’s success in the playoffs.
BAL
CIN