Steve Starr
- The Baltimore Ravens (2-2) are 3-point home favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) in Week 5
- Joe Burrow orchestrated two blowout victories over his divisional rivals last season
- NBC’s Sunday Night Football kicks off from M&T Bank Stadium on October 9 at 8:20pm ET
Joe Burrow played a large part in getting longtime Ravens defensive coordinator ‘Wink’ Martindale fired following the 2021 season. In Cincinnati’s two wins over their division rivals, he passed for an incredible 941 yards and nine touchdowns.
Mike Macdonald was brought in at DC, but things only look uglier through four games. Baltimore currently has the third-worst defense in the NFL, permitting 425 yards of offense per contest.
Before we check the odds on Sunday’s AFC North rivalry game, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022.
Ravens vs Bengals
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +3.0 (-105) | +145 | Ov 48.5 (-110) |
| Baltimore Ravens | -3.0 (-115) | -165 | Un 48.5 (-110) |
Joe Burrow vs Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson’s contract year was off to a sizzling start through three weeks. He racked up 741 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions with an additional 243 yards and two scores on the ground. However, the 25-year-old stumbled in a 23-20 defeat to Buffalo in Week 4, tossing two picks and failing to generate any second half offense.
In contrast, Joe Burrow turned the ball over five times in Week 1 and was sacked 13 times through two weeks. But, he’s looked much crisper in two consecutive Cincinnati victories. In a 27-15 win over Miami last Thursday, “Joe Cool” threw for 287 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs.
Joe Burrow was only sacked 1 time tonight.
Big shout-out to the Bengals offensive line. 💪 pic.twitter.com/nkrw93dqft
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) September 30, 2022
Recent history
Lamar Jackson missed Baltimore’s 41-21 loss to the Bengals last December, but did play in a 41-17 thumping a couple months earlier. Before those twin blowouts, it was the Ravens doling out the beatdowns during the 2020 season. John Harbaugh’s club defeated the Bengals 27-3 and 38-3, although Burrow missed the second meeting with a season-ending knee injury.
Altogether, the quarterbacks are 1-1 against each other heading into their pivotal AFC North showdown on Sunday Night Football.
Ravens vs Bengals
It will be interesting to see how Baltimore responds after coughing up a 17-point lead to the Bills in Week 4. Buffalo erased Mark Andrews, holding the star tight end to just 2 catches for 15 yards. And with sophomore receiver Rashod Bateman questionable to miss Sunday’s game, life might be even easier for Cincinnati’s underrated defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens struggling defense must pick his poison. In the first contest versus Baltimore last season, Ja’Marr Chase reeled in eight receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown. Then, in the second meeting, Tee Higgins registered 12 catches for 194 yards and two scores.
The Ravens are leading the NFL in scoring and yards. That's good, but underlying numbers suggest their success is a house of cards propped up by Lamar Jackson's mobility.
I wrote about why his MVP candidacy isn't the feel good story it appears to be. https://t.co/PDBqp0R0dF
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) September 29, 2022
Best Bet
Baltimore is a 3-point home favorite on Sunday and the game has the third-highest total (48.5) of the Week 5 slate. Coming off a ten-day rest thanks to last week’s Thursday Night Football appearance, we like the Bengals to win outright (+145) with the OVER (-110).
While the Ravens will be a step slow after coughing up a victory to the Bills, Cincinnati will be rested and prepared on defense. Joe Burrow will also be locked and loaded to exploit one of the league’s worst defenses after lighting up the same cast of characters twice in 2021.
Final Score Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Ravens 23
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