NFL Week 5 Odds: A 2.5 point road favorite Ravens vs. Bengals

There are all kinds of historical stats that show just how difficult it is for teams to make the playoffs after getting out to a losing start, specifically when they go 0-2 or 0-3 to start the season.

There are, of course, other factors that come into play when looking at those stats.

My NFL Betting Analysis in the Week 5

The biggest factor is often the strength of the division. It’s much easier to overcome a slow start and get to the postseason if every team in the division is having issues.

Both the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with slow starts, which haven’t been helped by the Pittsburgh Steelers storming out of the gate.

This is a massive game for both teams, as another loss would be a major blow. The Ravens are a 2 ½ point road favorite, with the point total set at 49.

Baltimore Ravens Odds -139

Losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the opening game of the season was not a major shock, especially when you consider that the Ravens had to go on the road for that one.

A loss to the Raiders in Week 2, especially after building up a double-digit lead, was a little more difficult for fans to swallow.

The Ravens, though, have answered the call and delivered ack-to-back brilliant performances, beating the Cowboys on the road before totally dismantling the Buffalo Bills last week.

Baltimore is still trailing the Steelers in the AFC North, but things look much better now than they did after Week 2.

The Ravens are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games, but they have been particularly good on the road, winning 6 of their last 7 away from home.

They are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 versus the Bengals, with 6 of the last 7 meetings in Cincinnati going OVER the point total.

Today's injury report: pic.twitter.com/0GABFwtwaz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 3, 2024

Cincinnati Bengals Odds +114

One of the biggest surprises in the opening month of the season came in Week 1, with the Bengals losing to the New England Patriots as a 7 ½ point favorite.

They followed that up with losses to the Chiefs and the Commanders before finally getting their first win of the season against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4.

At 1-3, all is not lost for the Bengals, but if they lose again this weekend, it might be time to start considering that this team is perhaps not as good as we thought they were.

Taking this start into account, the Bengals are now a rather miserable 2-5 in their last 7 games, but perhaps more importantly, they have just 1 win in their last 5 meetings with conference opponents, which is not good news for a team trying to get into the playoff conversation.

The Bengals have covered just once in their last 8 divisional games, with the OVER hitting in 4 of their last 5 at home.

Glass eaters eatin' 😤#RuleTheJungle https://t.co/KbvF9sESjc
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 2, 2024

Ravens vs Bengals Betting Prediction in NFL Week 5

If you follow the AFC North, you will already know that these divisional matchups tend to be bruising affairs, with scoring at a premium.

I think we will see hard hits as always, but I do think we will get the OVER here, with the Ravens winning and covering the spread.

Cincinnati Bengals 20, Baltimore Ravens 30

Ravens vs Bengals NFL Week 5 Info

Date & Time: Sunday, October 6 at 1 PM EST
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: CBS

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Updated Odds provided by MyBookie Sportsbook

Ravens vs Bengals in the AFC North Standings

AFC NORTH
Team	W	L	T	%	PF	PA	Home	Road	Strk
Steelers	3	1	0	0.750	75	53	1-0-0	2-1-0	1L
Ravens	2	2	0	0.500	106	88	1-1-0	1-1-0	2W
Browns	1	3	0	0.250	66	87	0-2-0	1-1-0	2L
Bengals	1	3	0	0.250	102	104	0-2-0	1-1-0	1W