Steve Starr
- The Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) are 7-point home favorites over the Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
- Joe Burrow’s team is riding an eight-game winning streak into the postseason
- Super Wild Card Weekend from Paycor Stadium kicks off on Sunday, January 15 at 8:15pm ET on NBC
Lamar Jackson reportedly faces “an uphill battle” to suit up in Sunday night’s Wild Card game against the Bengals. Cincinnati destroyed their AFC North rivals 27-16 in Week 18 to secure home field advantage but the Ravens were resting starters in anticipation of this week’s rematch.
Will Joe Burrow lead his team to an easy victory over backup Tyler Huntley or will John Harbaugh’s boys pull off the upset? Before we check the odds on this matchup, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022.
Bengals vs Ravens
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Baltimore Ravens | +7.0 (-106) | +280 | Ov 41.5 (-110) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | -7.0 (-114) | -350 | Un 41.5 (-110) |
Burrow’s struggles vs Baltimore
Even with the expected absence of Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati probably would’ve preferred to avoid their AFC North rivals in the Wild Card round. After racking up 24 points in the first half of Sunday’s win over Baltimore, the Bengals were held to just 90 offensive yards in the second half. Joe Burrow finished with a pedestrian stat-line (25-of-42, 215 yards, TD). And he also struggled ( 24-of-35, 217 yards, TD, INT) in a 19-17 loss to the Ravens in Week 5.
But, don’t expect too much doubt to creep in the head of ‘Joe Cool’. The defending AFC champions are riding an eight-game win streak as they look to join the 2018 Patriots as the only team in the past half-century to win the Super Bowl after losing the previous season.
Joe Burrow was asked about a potential Bengals window to win after today’s game. His response: “The window is my whole career…Our window is always open.”
Boss answer. pic.twitter.com/AlNJ7q4d41
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 8, 2023
Tyler Huntler draws the start
Baltimore has a 2-3 record since Jackson went down with a knee injury in Week 13. Backup Tyler Huntley hasn’t topped 200 yards in his five relief appearances, accounting for three total TDs and three picks with a grisly 5.9 yards per attempt. As always, the Ravens will rely on their No. 2 ranked run game, which averages 160 rushing yards per contest.
However, the Ravens have averaged just 12.5 points in the almost six full games since Jackson was injured. Cincinnati’s defense is ranked seventh against the run. And their offense is putting up 29 points per game over its eight-game win streak
Cincinnati vs Baltimore
Cincinnati is a 7-point home favorite on Sunday night and the over-under is set at 41.5 points. The lowest total of this weekend’s six Wild Card games. Baltimore’s defense permits the third-fewest points per game (18.5). However, their secondary has allowed the seventh-most passing yards in 2022 so Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should be able to get open.
Joe Mixon gained only 27 yards on 11 carries versus the Ravens last Sunday. He’ll need to be better to take the pressure off a banged up Bengals offensive line that will have two backups starting on the right side of the offensive line.
Per Saint Omni, The #Ravens agree in principle with All-Pro LB Roquan Smith — now the highest paid at his position in NFL history with a 5-yr, $100M deal. $45M fully guaranteed & $60M in total guarantees. Huge. The 1st off-ball LB to get $20M per year. Roquan represented himself. pic.twitter.com/KCy7t26SpZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2023
Best Bet
Bengals-Ravens marks the 15th time since 1990 that the same teams that met in the final week of the regular season will play in the Wild Card round. Both the winner and loser of the regular season matchup have identical 7-7 records in the playoffs.
While John Harbaugh’s club should be able to make things uncomfortable for their AFC North rivals, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are far too good to lose to an inferior team starting a backup QB.
Prediction: Bengals 23, Ravens 16
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