Ravens (+6 ½) at Bengals
Over/Under 44 ½
Yeah ok, it’s prediction time…
Truth be told, and assuming you haven’t already reached this conclusion on your own, I suck at this!
Just look at the record below. As I shared with Mike Popovec on 105.7 The Fan yesterday, monkeys could do a better job at this than me – with no offense to those fine two-legged mammals.
But here goes, nonetheless…
This is a matchup of familiar foes and we could analyze this in depth and serve up seemingly relevant statistical minutiae. But let’s face it, the outcome of this game hinges on the play of one person – Andy Dalton. If he plays well, the Bengals cruise. If he doesn’t, the door to the playoffs for the Ravens opens a bit more.
The Ravens chances would improve measurably if the Bengals had nothing to gain but unfortunately for the visitors they do. The Bengals are 7-0 at home this season and there’s absolutely nothing that the Ravens have done in recent weeks that suggests they are a threat to Cincinnati’s unbeaten streak at home.
So, get to Dalton and the Ravens win.
Remain passive as defensive coordinator Dean Pees did against the Patriots and the Ravens could get blown out. After all the Bengals have eclipsed the 40-point barrier in each of their previous four home games.
They won’t make it five today, but they’ll score enough to get the win.
BOLD PREDICTIONS
- Joe Flacco will throw more interceptions than touchdowns
- The Ravens will be -3 in turnover differential
- Torrey Smith will get his 100+ yards and set the team single season receiving yards record
- Terrell Suggs will be playing his last game as a Raven
- Dean Pees and Jim Caldwell will “coordinate” a game plan for the last time as members of the Baltimore Ravens
Last Game: 0-1 v. Winner, 0-1 v. Spread
Season Total: 7-8 v. Winner, 7-7-1 v. Spread
