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Ravens vs. Bengals Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 2: Will Cincinnati Rebound in Home Opener?

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 17, 2023 11:43 AM EDT • 3 min 48 sec read.

A pair of AFC North foes meet as the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, and we're relying on our top Ravens vs. Bengals predictions, which are based on NFL odds from our best sports betting apps.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Houston Texans 25-9 in Week 1, whereas the Cincinnati Bengals suffered their sixth consecutive road loss against the Cleveland Browns. This loss put an end to the Bengals' eight-game regular-season winning streak, with their most recent setback occurring against the Browns in Week 8 last year.

Can Cincy bounce back and beat the visiting Ravens in Week 2?

Here is our best Ravens vs. Bengals prediction and NFL picks, NFL best bets for Week 2, NFL upset picks and NFL player props (odds via our best NFL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Ravens vs. Bengals prediction

Bengals ML () ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Many observers were quick to ridicule Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow after signing a five-year, $275 million extension, and he followed that up with his lowest completion percentage (45.2%) and first career game with under 100 passing yards (82). In addition, Burrow’s 2.6 yards per attempt were his second-fewest in a season opener in the Super Bowl era (min. 30 pass attempts). However, this is more of a one-off, considering Cincinnati’s overall lack of success against Cleveland recently.

Bettors should be far more concerned about the Ravens after Week 1. Not only did Baltimore lose running back J.K. Dobbins for the season with a torn Achilles, but the following players didn't practice Wednesday: left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (foot). In addition, safety Marcus Williams was already ruled out with a pectoral injury.

Baltimore having two offensive linemen questionable for this game is a concern, because when QB Lamar Jackson was pressured against the Texans, he went 2-for-7, averaged 2.0 yards per attempt, committed two turnovers, and had a 0.2 Total QBR while getting sacked four times. When Jackson wasn't pressured, he completed all 15 pass attempts, averaged 10.3 yards per attempt, and posted a 65 Total QBR.

While Jackson’s 77.3% completion percentage was his highest since 2021, he also had his third-lowest QBR (13.6) in his career (including playoffs, min. five pass attempts).

This is a solid five-star play as we're also anxious about the Ravens’ secondary injuries, considering the Bengals were one of five teams with two 1,000-plus-yard receivers last season (Ja’Marr Chase 1,046, Tee Higgins 1,029). Meanwhile, the Bengals' D should rebound from a poor performance last week. They ranked sixth in scoring defense and fifth in defensive efficiency last season. In addition, Cincinnati won four of the previous five meetings against Baltimore, with three of the wins coming by 11-plus points.

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Ravens vs. Bengals best odds

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Bengals MLBengals MLBengals MLBengals MLBengals ML
-180172-175-170

There is a negligible difference between and bet365 on moneyline odds, as a $1 difference won't sway many bettors. However, there's a stark contrast between those sportsbooks and DraftKings, the only shop at -180 odds or higher for Cincy to earn its first win.

Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last six September games.

Ravens vs. Bengals odds

Ravens vs. Bengals odds analysis

If any of the best sports betting apps offer the Bengals at less than a field goal, jump at that number. Our biggest reason for paying up slightly on their moneyline odds is because they're laying 3 points and the hook at most shops other than FanDuel, who has the Bengals at -3 (-122).

FanDuel was aligned with its competitors at -3.5 before Ravens' backers drove the number down to -3, while other shops like BetMGM remained at -3.5 after the move up from -3. More than 59% of point spread wagers are on the Bengals.

The best sports betting sites are split evenly on a total between 46 and 46.5, and those at 46 (DraftKings and BetRivers) are juiced slightly to the Over (-112). The total rose from an opening of 45.5, as the Over cashed in the last four games the Bengals were favored over the Ravens.

Ravens vs. Bengals game info

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. ET
  • Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
  • How to watch: CBS
  • Weather: 76 degrees, 24% chance of precipitation, 8-mph W winds

Ravens-Bengals prediction made Friday, 9/15/23 at 7:33 a.m. ET

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NFL Week 2 matchups

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”