NFL Week 2: Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Odds, and Picks (Sep 17)

• The Ravens defeated the Texans 9-25 on Sunday.
• The Bengals lost 3-24 vs the Browns in week 1.
• These teams last met in the AFC Wild Card game last season with the Bengals coming out on top.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ran out comfortable winners against the Texans in week 1 but lost J.K Dobbins to a season-ending Achilles injury. Joe Burrow’s Bengals were dreadful in their season opener against the Browns but will be looking to bounce back in front of their own fans this week.

How To Watch

• CBS

Game Preview

With J.K Dobbins ruled out for the season, following his injury in the Ravens’ win over the Texans, Baltimore will be more reliant on the passing game for success this week. Backup running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill should split the workload between them, with Hill showing his goalline prowess following Dobbins’ exit last week. TE Mark Andrews remains limited at practice but if he can take the field on Sunday it will provide a boost to the Baltimore receiving corps. Rookie WR Zay Flowers was the standout player of week 1 for the Ravens, with 9 catches for 78 yards.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals struggled in their opening matchup against the Browns on Sunday. With the weather conditions far from ideal, Burrow managed only 14 completions for 82 yards as Cincinnati were held to just three points. WR Tee Higgins will be looking to bounce back from this game with a bang after failing to gather any of the 8 targets sent his way.

Prediction

The Bengals are slight favorites heading into this game but they will need to be much better than the side which showed up in week 1 if they are to get the victory. If J.K Dobbins was taking the field I would be more bullish on the Ravens picking up a win here but his absence makes it a close call. It feels as though we are due a vintage Lamar game though and I’ll side with Baltimore by the smallest of margins.

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