Ravens vs. Bengals Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction

Edgar Chaput | Updated Oct 03, 2024

NFL: Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens

It could be a make-or-break week for AFC North foes the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals when they clash on Sunday.

Baltimore
6-3
AT
October 06, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Paul Brown Stadium
Pointspread -1.5 -110
Moneyline -140
Over / Under o +48.5
Pointspread +1.5 -110
Moneyline +120
Over / Under u +48.5

Ravens-Bengals matches have been highly anticipated affairs for a few seasons already, with both teams being regular playoff participants. This first of two regular season bouts in 2024 feels different. Baltimore is only 2-2 – albeit after winning their last two – whereas Cincy is 1-3 after finally winning a game last week. A victory for either would be huge. A loss would be equally frustrating.

Our NFL odds feel better about getting on board with the visiting Ravens, who are currently -2.5 favourites.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

There has been no shortage of back and forth between these divisional rivals. The Bengals swept the Ravens in 2021, won two-of-three throughout the full 2022 campaign (including a Wild Card playoff win), with Baltimore taking both contests in 2023. Interestingly, the star quarterbacks have not always been present for those games, including the second game in 2023 (Joe Burrow’s season was cut short) and the aforementioned postseason battle (Lamar Jackson was absent due to injury).

Baltimore is 2-2 against the spread so far this season. They could have fallen to 1-3 but for once actually held on to a massive lead in last week’s victory over the Buffalo Bills. By the same token they could just as easily be 3-1 had the Dallas Cowboys not miraculously made a game of their Week 3 matchup despite the scoreline being out of hand at the end of the third quarter.

Despite the 1-3 straight-up start to 2024, the Bengals are at least 2-2 against the spread. Putting points on the board hasn’t been an issue, hence the over currently sitting at 3-1. On the flip side, that also suggests Cincy’s defence is struggling. Confirmed: they cough up 26.0 points per game, which puts them in 27th in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens

Last Sunday night was the kind of performance everyone believes the Ravens can put in but frustratingly struggle to. Baltimore tamed the visiting Bills 35-10 in a game that got out of hand early and, for once, stayed as such.

It was also a display of the new-look Ravens ground attack, with Derrick Henry leading the way. The hosts bulldozed their way to 271 total yards rushing. King Henry had 199 all to himself, plus a touchdown. Lamar Jackson, who has become a much better passer over the years, wasn’t needed that much, only throwing for 156 yards and a pair of majors. It’s a good day on the gridiron when not only does a team face fewer third-down situations than usual (nine) but converts more than half (five). Not to be overlooked, RB Justice Hill played receiver on one of Jackson’s two TD tosses.

If one were to criticize the Ravens for anything, it would be the penalties. With a total of eight for 79 yards, it was not a clean game despite the final score. Penalties have been an issue for John Harbaugh’s group this season.

Cincinnati Bengals

It was obvious to everyone that the Bengals needed to start winning ASAP. They did so against the Carolina Panthers last week, 34-24. But despite the Panthers playing better after their quarterback switch, it’s also agreed that the Bengals are not out of the woods just because they earned one W.

Was the performance good? Overall, yes, especially on the attack. Cincy racked up 373 yards. The Chase Brown-Zach Moss running tandem continues to pay dividends. On this day it was Brown who performed better with 80 yards and a pair of scores. WR Ja’Marr Chase – still no new contract – is looking like his old self. He caught three Burrow passes for 85 yards and a TD.

But this was a tight affair. Breathing room came via an Evan McPherson field goal with only 1:14 left to make it a two-score game. Plus, with all due respect, it was Carolina. This week versus the Ravens – at home, no less – a lot more questions are going to be answered.

Who Will Win Ravens vs. Bengals?

NFL Predictions
SportsInteraction