NFL Week 17 Predictions: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 12/30/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Cincinnati -3
Current Betting Line: Cincinnati -2.5
Opening Total: 43
Current Total: 41
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Ravens Saints NFL Game Preview — Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice has put up some great numbers against the Cincinnati Bengals recently

Baltimore clinched its second consecutive AFC North division title last week, as it snapped a three-game losing streak in picking up a 33-14 victory over the New York Giants as one-point home underdogs in Week 16. “No doubt about it, guys are excited about winning the division,” stated Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. The Ravens have won 12 of their last 13 games versus division rivals, including seven straight away from M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore is 5-7 ATS in December the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 3-1 in that situation in 2012.

The Ravens have committed just 15 turnovers through 15 games, which is on pace to set a franchise single-season low in that category. Baltimore has also managed to score 381 points this year—just 11 points shy of breaking the franchise single-season record. Running back Ray Rice is the player to watch offensively, averaging 110.0 rushing yards and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground in his last four games versus the Bengals. The squad has won six consecutive season finales, while winning 10 of its last 12 opportunities in that situation.

Cincinnati returns home after sweeping its two-game road trip against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, as it will participate in the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the AFC. The Bengals have won five of their last seven home games in this series, as they’ll have revenge on their minds after suffering a humiliating 44-13 setback to the Ravens as seven-point road underdogs in this year’s season opener. Cincinnati is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of three or fewer points over the last two-plus season, which is important to consider when making your NFL picks against the spread.

The Bengals are 12th in the NFL in scoring 24.5 points per game, while sitting tied-for-eighth in surrendering 20.2. Cincinnati will need quarterback Andy Dalton to up his production in order to close out the regular season with a victory, considering he’s completed just 54 percent of his passes for 826 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in three games against the Ravens in his career.