Bengals at Ravens NFL Betting Odds

One of the more competitive games on the Week 1 NFL betting schedule should be in Baltimore as the Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals. This NFL betting week 1 matchup will feature the Bengals offense versus the Ravens defense but it is the running plays that could decide the outcome. Cincinnati is nearly unbeatable when Rudi Johnson gets at least 25 carries while the Ravens usually win when Willis McGahee is a factor. This will be the regular season coaching debut of Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh.

It could be a difficult debut since the Bengals have owned the Ravens of late, winning six of the last seven meetings. The Ravens have concerns across the board including on defense where they really slipped last season. They also have quarterback issues since Steve McNair retired in the off-season. It is quite possible that Troy Smith will be the starting quarterback this season in NFL odds for the Ravens. Baltimore selected Joe Flacco in the first round but it is unlikely he will be the immediate starter and Kyle Boller has never inspired any confidence. Running back Willis McGahee had off-season surgery and his healthy could also be a question mark for this game.

The Bengals really look primed to bounce back from last year’s disappointing season when they went 7-9 straight up and 6-9-1 against the NFL odds. Cincinnati has quarterback Carson Palmer to lead an explosive offense. Wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh make for a solid duo while the running game should be improved with Chris Perry teaming up with Rudi Johnson. The key for Cincinnati this season will be getting improved play out of their defense. First round draft pick Keith Rivers should definitely help.

Bengals at Ravens Betting Stats

NFL betting stats show that the Ravens are 2-8 against the NFL betting odds in their last 10 games. They are 1-4 against the spread at home in their last five games on the NFL schedule. The Bengals have won and covered six of the last seven meetings between the two teams. Six of the last seven Baltimore games have gone over the NFL betting total. Five of their last seven games at home have gone over the total. Eight of the last 12 meetings between the two teams have gone over the total.