NFL nut Kyle Brown (@Kyleianbrown) runs the rule over the Thursday night NFL clash between Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals | Thursday 13th September 2018, 01:20 | Sky Sports
The Ravens and the Bengals will renew their AFC North rivalry this week on Thursday Night Football, with both teams hoping to continue their winning start and take an early command of the division.
The Ravens got off to a flyer in week 1 against the Bills, dominating them 47-3. While confidence will be booming, they’ll find this week’s opposition much tougher.
Joe Flacco was sacked just once by the dismal Bills last week but should find himself with less time in the pocket and under more constant pressure courtesy of Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins.
That being said, despite beating Andrew Luck on his Colts return, the Bengals took a while to get started, and Andy Dalton didn’t shine himself in the brightest light against a mediocre Indianapolis defence.
Bookmakers have the handicap at one point or less in both directions depending who you bet with. It suggests an almost equal chance of ether side winning, but I think the Ravens aren’t being given enough credit – due to the fact they’re on the road.
Home advantage in the NFL is arguably much more crucial than in other sports, but the Ravens come to the Bengals back yard once a year: it’s not new territory for them.
All things considered, the Ravens should win this match. They shut out the Bengals in the opener of the 2017 season and as previously mentioned, scored 47 points to 3 on their 2018 debut. They will feel invincible going into this matchup. Just under even money for a straight win is good value.
Flacco has put to bed any speculation that he might lose the starting job to Lamar Jackson. The Ravens drafting his supposed replacement seems to have given him the motivation required to lead the team back to the playoffs.
After three passing touchdowns in week one, he’s at 6/4 to throw two or more this week with SkyBet.
If you fancy a bet with slightly longer odds, then SkyBet’s Request a Bet service has a tasty looking 11/2 – Baltimore to win, Dalton and Flacco +200 passing yards each, Mixon and Collins +50 rushing yards each.
Given both quarterbacks abilities to move the sticks and the fact that both running backs take enough carries to hit 50 yards with ease – I’m all over this.
I may have tipped the Bengals to win on their season opener, but Baltimore will be a bigger test and one I don’t anticipate they’ll overcome. A Ravens win is 1/1 (Marathon).
Best Bets
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals – Baltimore Ravens to win (1/1 Marathon)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Flacco to throw over 1.5 passing touchdowns (6/4 SkyBet)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals – Ravens to win, Dalton & Flacco over 200 passing yards and Mixon & Collins over 50 rushing yards (11/2 Sky Bet)
