Ravens vs. Bengals Odds
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | +188 |
| Bengals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
We’re going to see Ravens vs. Bengals odds on the board for the second straight week. The two AFC North rivals will face off in Cincinnati in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs.
We know who will be out there for the Bengals, but Lamar Jackson’s status is certainly up in the air. Jackson hasn’t practiced in more than a month, and backup QB Tyler Huntley also missed Baltimore’s Week 18 loss in Cincinnati.
Below, find Ravens vs. Bengals odds and a breakdown of both sides.
Ravens vs. Bengals Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how the Ravens and Bengals match up statistically:
Ravens vs. Bengals DVOA Breakdown (Rankings Entering Week 18)
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 4 | 8 | |
| Pass DVOA | 7 | 11 | |
| Rush DVOA | 4 | 7 | |
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Overall DVOA | 10 | 12 | |
| Pass DVOA | 14 | 14 | |
| Rush DVOA | 2 | 14 | |
Anthony Dabbundo's Team Breakdowns
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore was one of the most injury ravaged teams in the NFL last season, and the Ravens didn’t have much luck this season, either. Injuries to the top two receivers — Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay — leaves the offense without a true receiving threat to compete with the Bengals, Bills and Chiefs at the top of the AFC. Lamar Jackson hasn’t taken an NFL snap since the Ravens' win against the Broncos on Dec. 4.
Jackson will be expected back for the playoffs, but what can reasonably be expected from him? The limited weapons were an issue on offense before Duvernay and Bateman went out, and now the pressure will be on Jackson to carry them even more than he usually does. He’s missed a ton of practice time on top of the games, and Baltimore has no room for him to be rusty on the road this weekend.
The defense did take major steps forward after trading for Roquan Smith from Chicago. Under first year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, there were problems holding onto leads early in the season, but the defense was elite in the second half. The Ravens were a top five rush defense by EPA/play and a top five defense overall by EPA per play in the second half.
Baltimore has failed to score more than 17 points in any game without Jackson. The Ravens are largely unknown offensively heading into these playoffs, but they’ll go as far as Jackson can take them, and that will depend on his health. The special teams are elite as always, but it’s hard to see them keeping up with Kansas City, Buffalo and Cincinnati if Jackson isn’t showcasing his elite playmaking.
Bet at FanDuel
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati won the AFC North and has been the clear third best team in the AFC in the second half of the season. The Bengals are second in Success Rate since Week 10 and fourth in EPA per play efficiency. Cincinnati is fourth in yards per drive and sixth in points per drive this season. Joe Burrow still takes too many sacks, but his elite processing, accuracy and decision making combine well with the elite 1-2 receiver combination of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
It appeared in the middle part of the season that the Bengals had fixed the running game, too, but that unit has regressed in the last month.
The ace in the hole for Cincinnati might not be the offense, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The Bengals have some holes defensively, but they’re top five in EPA per dropback allowed in the second half. They’re top five against the run then, too. Anarumo is excellent at making halftime adjustments, and that enables the Bengals to remain competitive in games when trailing.
There are some legitimate questions about Cincinnati because the offense is just 12th in yards per play, and that doesn’t scream elite. You can make the case that Cincinnati is closer to the middle of the conference than it is to Kansas City and Buffalo, but there’s no obvious hole that will get the Bengals eliminated. Zac Taylor is likely to use the somewhat unfair ruling with home field advantage to motivate and refocus his team after a difficult week mentally.
