An AFC North clash between the Baltimore Ravens (2-2) and Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) stands out as one of the highlights of the Week 5 NFL slate. The two will meet at Paycor Stadium this Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. ET.
The Bengals picked up their first win of the season this past Sunday, defeating the Panthers 34-24. Meanwhile, the Ravens knocked off the previously undefeated Bills on Sunday Night Football, rolling to a 35-10 victory behind Derrick Henry’s 199 rushing yards.
Will Baltimore continue rolling in Week 5? Here are the latest Ravens vs Bengals odds, as well as my best bets and prediction.
Ravens vs Bengals Odds
NFL odds are current as of Thursday, Oct. 3, and courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Ravens (-140) vs Bengals (+120)
- Spread: Ravens -2.5 (-115) vs Bengals +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 49 (-110) / Under 49 (-110)
Ravens vs Bengals Prediction
Ravens 34, Bengals 20
On paper, this looks like a blowout waiting to happen. The Bengals have been wholly incapable of stopping the run this season, while the Ravens enter this matchup ranking No. 1 in rushing yards, attempts, and yards per carry.
Pairing Henry with Lamar Jackson has created an (understandably) dominant ground game. Baltimore has had dominant running backs before, but Henry remains capable of taking over a game on his own, which only makes Jackson more dangerous both in and out of the pocket.
With that said, I don’t expect Cincinnati to have difficulty scoring. The Ravens have given up the third-most passing attempts and fourth-most yards this season, and the Bengals are still elite in that regard thanks to the partnership between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
There’s a chance this one ends up closer than I’m projecting — these AFC North battles tend to be tight — but Cincy’s defense is a major concern right now, and Baltimore is equipped to take advantage of it with every opportunity it gets.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Ravens vs Bengals Best Bets
Ravens -2.5 (-115) @ Bengals
The Ravens won both matchups with the Bengals in 2023, and Baltimore enters this first matchup with its division rival as the much better team on paper. Jackson’s side may have gotten off to a slow start, but they’ve looked better with each week, punctuated by a one-sided win over Buffalo in Week 4.
The early returns of pairing Jackson and Henry can’t be overstated. Together, they’ve rushed for 788 yards and seven touchdowns through four games, and that’s excluding Jackson’s 858 yards and five scores through the air.
Cincinnati still has plenty to figure out, but the Ravens look ready to win now. Back Baltimore to cover this 2.5-point spread with your NFL bet of the day.
Over 49 Points (-110)
This won’t be your typical AFC North bloodbath that ends without either team scoring 20 points. The Ravens and Bengals both rank inside the top 10 in points per game, and the latter’s defensive struggles lead me to believe that this one could soar beyond the projected 49-point total.
Baltimore only gave up 10 points to the Bills on Sunday Night Football, but there’s a much greater sense of familiarity between these two teams, and with Burrow at QB, Cincinnati has scored 17-plus points — and often much more — in six consecutive matchups.
Plus, each of the last two meetings between the Ravens and Bengals have gone Over this line. I’m staying consistent and aiming high once more.
