Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 11/20/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -9
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -6.5
Opening Total: 41
Current Total: 40
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Cincinnati lost a big game last week, dropping a 24-17 decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers as 3.5-point home underdogs, slipping into a second-place tie with Sunday’s opponent in the AFC North division standings. “We hadn’t lost in a while,” stated Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. “We had won five in a row.” The Bengals have a chance of getting back in the win column due to posting a 6-3 record in the last nine meetings in this series. Both teams won on their home field a year ago. Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus seasons.
The Bengals have to be happy with the play of their rookie signal-caller, as Dalton has thrown for 14 touchdown passes in nine games. He will likely need to win this game, with Baltimore’s defense surrendering just 90.3 yards per game on the ground. It could be tough sledding if fellow rookie wide receiver A.J. Green is unable to go, dealing with a hyperextended right knee, leading all first-year players with 41 catches, 635 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.
Baltimore comes off a disappointing 22-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks as solid road favorites a week ago, but that could be good news for fans inside M&T Bank Stadium Sunday. The Ravens have tallied a 14-4 record in games that immediately follow a loss, winning 11 consecutive affairs in that situation, which is the longest such streak in the NFL currently. During the John Harbaugh era on the sidelines, Baltimore has tallied a 23-5 home record, which ranks second in the league, trailing only the New England Patriots (24-4). Over the last two-plus seasons, the team is 6-8 ATS versus division opponents.
The Ravens current six-game winning streak at home currently ranks as the second-longest in the league, trailing only the Green Bay Packers. Harbaugh has also gotten his team ready to play divisional foes during his time in Baltimore, holding AFC North opponents to just 13.3 points per game, which is the best mark among division opponents in the league. On the defensive end, the unit ranks third in the league in registering 27 quarterback sacks, but could be missing a key player Sunday. Star linebacker Ray Lewis is doubtful with a foot injury.
Bettors will likely back the Bengals due to their 10-2 ATS mark in their last 12 games, while the Ravens are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in this series.
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