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Prediction: Bengals will beat the Ravens


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Prediction: Bengals will beat the Ravens
October, 24, 2014
Oct 24
1:00
PM ET
By Coley Harvey | ESPN.com
 
The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot to prove this week against the Baltimore Ravens, but their offense -- one that looked incredibly inept at the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday -- may have the most at stake. Being back at home and in a familiar venue where it has performed well this season may help the unit.

Cincinnati has played three games at home and three games on the road this season, but it has been significantly better offensively at Paul Brown Stadium. There, inside the place nicknamed "The Jungle," the Bengals have 450 more total yards, four fewer sacks allowed, 34 more first downs and a 17 percent higher completion percentage than on the road. After a month away from the "W" column, the Bengals will get back there this week, thanks to their offense. But it won't be easy, Indianapolis is third in yards allowed per game at 311.1.

Bengals 23, Ravens 17
 
 
Prediction: Ravens will lose to Bengals
October, 24, 2014
Oct 24
1:00
PM ET
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
 
The first-place Baltimore Ravens are the better team on paper than the Cincinnati Bengals. They’re the hotter team and they’re the healthier one. But the X-factor is Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium.

While Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has played and won in tougher atmospheres, he has repeatedly struggled in Cincinnati. He has a 2-4 record there, which are as many losses as he’s had in Pittsburgh and Cleveland combined. Flacco has thrown five touchdowns and nine interceptions in Cincinnati for a 62.0 passer rating.

The Bengals certainly do not have the dominant defense it has had in recent seasons. They're 30th against the run and 27th against the pass. Where the Bengals remain strong is in the red zone, where their defense is ranked No. 10. The Ravens' inability to punch the ball in the end zone will be the difference.

My prediction: Bengals 20, Ravens 16

My record this year (straight up): 6-1
 
 

 

 

 

ESPN expert picks: Ravens at Bengals
October, 24, 2014
Oct 24
8:00
AM ET
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
 
The Baltimore Ravens are going to extend their first-place lead in the AFC North over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to most of the ESPN prognosticators.

Of the 13 experts, 10 picked the Ravens to beat the slumping Bengals. The point spread for this game is even. The Ravens are looking to start the season 6-2 for the fourth time under coach John Harbaugh (2010, 2011 and 2012).

Here are the official ESPN predictions (with their prediction record for the Ravens in parentheses):

Eric Allen (6-1): Ravens
Mike Golic (6-1): Ravens
Merril Hoge (4-3): Bengals
Ron Jaworski (5-2): Ravens
KC Joyner (6-1): Bengals
Chris Mortensen (5-2): Ravens
Adam Schefter (5-2): Bengals
Mark Schlereth (4-3): Ravens
Seth Wickersham (5-2): Ravens
Tom Jackson (6-1): Ravens
Keyshawn Johnson (5-2): Ravens
Mike Ditka (4-3): Ravens
Cris Carter (6-1): Ravens
 
 
 

 

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