NFL 2021 Season: Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Betting Analysis & Prediction

The most important game for both teams will happen this week in Cincinnati as the Ravens and Bengals face off for the first place in the division. The two teams are tied record-wise, but the Bengals hold the tiebreaker due to the previous win in Baltimore and the better record in the division.

This is the most important game for either team, as it will give the playoff advantage to either team based on who wins. The Ravens are outside the playoff picture currently, and a loss this week would all but end their playoff hopes.

A loss for the Bengals would push them outside the playoff picture but keep them on the bubble depending on Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Buffalo.

No one in the AFC has clinched a playoff spot yet, but many teams could this week with wins. The four through seven spots in the AFC Playoff picture is wide open.

With a Cleveland Browns loss, that pushes them out of the picture and opens the door for many other teams. It sure will be a wild last three weeks in the NFL. With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at both teams and how they arrive to this match so you can get all set to place your bets against their NFL odds.

NFL Betting Preview for Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati

Baltimore Ravens Notes

While Baltimore fans may be hoping to hold on and make the playoffs, the season is all but over for Baltimore. The only chance they have of making the playoffs is by winning the AFC North Division.

The Ravens‘ division record is not good and would keep them from being in the playoffs. There have been too many injuries for Baltimore to try and salvage the season.

With the most recent injuries on the Ravens’ defensive side with Marlon Humphrey, Calais Campbell, Justin Houston, and Tavon Young, it is too much for Baltimore to overcome. The Ravens did bring back Pernell McPhee from injured reserve, so he will be available this week. Lamar Jackson is still listed as questionable.

There has been a lot of discussion around John Harbaugh and his late-game decisions to go for two. Both decisions were the right ones, popular or not. Baltimore is trying to win games because they know they have to.

The longer they play, the fewer chances they have of winning, and the greater chance of someone else being injured. If both of those passes are completed, Harbaugh looks like a genius, and the Ravens are solidified in the playoffs.

Sometimes it comes down to execution, and execution does not always work in your favor.

Cincinnati Bengals Notes

Cincinnati has been struggling the last few weeks, but a win in Denver helped them in a big way. This brings up the most important game for the Bengals in a long time. A chance to take control in the division and decide their own fate.

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense is very dangerous when clicking; they just have not found consistency in when they click. The Bengals finish with the Chiefs and the Browns to end the season, so this game against Baltimore is very big. Cincinnati won the first matchup this season in Baltimore, led by a second-half barrage by the offense.

Cincinnati would also hold the tiebreaker on the Ravens winning both games against them this season. If Cincinnati were to lose their last two games, the Ravens would have to win the last two in order to jump them. Either way, they need to get to 10 wins to solidify their spot in the playoffs this year.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?