Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 10/9/2022

Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

Where to watch: NBC

DraftKings: Ravens -3

FanDuel: Ravens -3

BetMGM: Ravens -3

Caesars: Ravens -3

Bengals: 2-2

Ravens: 2-2

Bengals: won 27-15 vs. Dolphins

Ravens: lost 23-20 vs. Bills

There’s something to be said about the state of the AFC North when the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens are complete opposites of the spectrum at 2-2. One team is the reigning AFC champs going through a post-Super Bowl hangover, while the other has an MVP candidate at quarterback and is failing on a massive level.

The two rivals will meet on Sunday Night Football with the Bengals seemingly appearing to have figured things out, while the Ravens continue to choke games away knowing they should very well be 4-0 at the moment. But the Ravens are also at home for this game and on Primetime, and you can’t really count out that group.

But the Bengals are playing good football the last two weeks, beating the New York Jets by 15 two weeks ago, and then following that up on a short week to beat the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night while even taking Tua Tagovailoa out of the game. Joe Burrow had another great game throwing the ball for 287 yards and two touchdowns, and Tee Higgins had one of his better days by catching seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. It’s been a slow year for Joe Mixon, averaging 2.7 yards per carry, but he did get into the end zone, as well.

"All day the protection was awesome," said Burrow. "I had all the time I needed in the pocket to find the guys I needed."

"Joe was lights out," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. "You had to beat man coverage. We had the guys to do it and the protection to match it and the quarterback who, that's what he wants to see."

Burrow is looking for his fourth straight game without an interception after throwing four in Week 1 in the overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. And if the last time Burrow faced the Ravens is any indication of what may come, it might be a fireworks display at M&T Bank Stadium. Burrow threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns the last time the Bengals and Ravens met, which was a 41-21 win in Cincy. Don’t forget the Bengals swept the season series last year; Cincinnati won 41-17 last October in Baltimore.

Ja’Marr Chase, who had just four receptions for 81 yards last week, had 326 yards and a touchdown in two games against Baltimore. Raining fire may be coming down if this Baltimore defense that’s been on screen the past few weeks continues to rear its ugly head.

Baltimore had a 20-3 lead in the second quarter, much like the Ravens had a lead in the fourth quarter against Miami two weeks ago. Much like that one, they blew this one. The defense did everything right to slow down Josh Allen and his 19 of 36 passing for 213 yards and a touchdown with an interception, but so many missed opportunities allowed the Bills to come back and win 23-20 on a last-second field goal.

Lamar Jackson did all he could once again by throwing for 144 yards and a touchdown while running for 73 yards, but Jackson also threw two interceptions and the offense couldn’t do anything more after jumping out to that three-score lead.

"Week 4," Jackson said. "We've been in this situation before. I feel like we're going to hit our peak at the right time."

Jackson was able to exploit the Bengals defense last time out. He threw for 257 yards and ran for 88 in the last meeting. He’s totaled 299 rushing yards the last three games, just a shade under 100 per game. Again, he’s a quarterback. It’s insane what he can do. Unfortunately, the supporting cast around him has not helped matters.

If this is truly the turning point for the Bengals to get back to winning ways, getting a win over a division opponent will help. I like Cincinnati to win its third straight and Joey Ice to keep dominating. Bengals by 10

Bengals are 11-3 ATS as a road dog of 7 points or less the last three seasons.

Bengals are 17-5 ATS the last three seasons off an under.

Bengals are 4-5 ATS off a home win in their last nine.

Ravens are 10-8 ATS in their last 18 home games.

Ravens are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 off a loss.

Passing: Joe Burrow -- 1,099 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT

Rushing: Joe Mixon -- 224 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: Ja'Marr Chase -- 283 yards, 2 TD

Defense: Trey Hendrickson -- 2.5 sacks

Passing: Lamar Jackson -- 893 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT

Rushing: Lamar Jackson -- 316 yards, 2 TD

Receiving: Mark Andrews -- 260 yards, 3 TD

Defense: Marcus Williams -- 3 INT