Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Monday, 9/10/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -7
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -7
Opening Total: 41
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Cincinnati is hoping that its young offensive duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green can take another step forward after making a run into the NFL playoffs last year, as they also look to put their 0-4 record against Baltimore and Pittsburgh from a year ago in the past. The Bengals are definitely candidates to take a step backwards, as the franchise hasn’t posted back-to-back winning seasons since 1981 and 1982. Cincinnati is 4-7 ATS versus divisional opponents the last two years, with the “under” going 8-4 in that situation.
The Bengals will need Dalton to play at a higher level in this series than what he did in 2011, as he completed just 51.7 percent of his passes and accumulated a 63.2 passer rating in two meetings. Cincinnati has gone 9-19 all-time when featured on Monday Night Football, but did come away with a 27-20 home win over tonight’s opponent in the 2007 season opener in this role. Green could end up being the best player on the field, finishing with 1,057 receiving yards in his rookie campaign.
Baltimore will be a city of high emotions on prime-time television, as its longtime owner Art Modell passed away last week. The Ravens have been one of the more dominant home teams in the NFL under head coach John Harbaugh, posting a 27-5 record since 2008, outscoring opponents by an 817-426 margin. The defense is still the most talked about unit around the league, but may take a step back in the opening weeks without the injured Terrell Suggs, who is out until November with a torn right Achilles tendon. Baltimore is 10-6 ATS in its last 16 appearances on Monday night.
The Ravens were one of only two teams to finish last year with an unblemished divisional record, while they are the only squad to earn a playoff berth in the last four seasons. Baltimore is certainly going to be challenged from the opening bell, facing the NFL’s fourth-toughest schedule based on 2011 opponent win-loss records. Quarterback Joe Flacco is the leader on offense, with running back Ray Rice looking to build off his 2,068 total yards in the backfield.
Sports bettors will likely back the Bengals due to their 4-1-1 ATS mark in the last six series meetings, while the Ravens are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six home games.
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