The Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are facing off against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) at home this week.  The Ravens are upset they are not undefeated, as a pair of controversial penalties cost them the game against the New England Patriots last week.  The Ravens are eager to bounce back and I think they will not have a problem with the Cincinnati Bengals, even though they have the same record.  The Ravens defense is too strong for the Bengals.

The Bengals will be looking to establish Cedric Benson and the running game, as he is averaging 4.4 yards per carry.  The Ravens are only giving up 59 rushing yards per game, so I think they will be able to shut down Benson and the Bengals’ running game.  That means Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer will have to throw the ball more, and the Ravens are great at pressuring quarterbacks.  Palmer has a big arm and has led the Bengals to two late game victories, but he has not been very consistent this year and will force things at times.  The Ravens could get themselves some points from the defense, as they are great at forcing turnovers.  The Ravens offense should not have too much of a problem with the Bengals D.  The Bengals give up 103 rushing yards per game, so Ray Rice and Willis McGahee will be able to get a lot of yards on the ground. The two running backs have combined for six touchdowns and 496 yards on 86 carries (5.8 avg). Joe Flacco has also been playing well for the Ravens offense, as the quarterback has thrown eight touchdowns and 1,103 yards on 95/151 attempts (63%).  The Ravens are the much better football team and should not have a problem beating the Bengals.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 31, Cincinnati Bengals 13

I don’t see any scenario where I think the Ravens will win more than seven games.  I would bet the ranch on the under as rookie QB Joe Flacco is being thrown into the fire without much support on offense.  The Ravens’ once great defense is starting to get long in tooth and could start falling apart at any time now.  Next April the Ravens will be drafting very, very high!

I think the smart money takes the over and hopes Steve McNair stays healthy.  RB Willis McGahee is much faster than Jamal Lewis which should help the Ravens run more effective on the perimeter.  Also, look for the Ravens to take advantage of #3 WR Demetrius Williams’ explosive speed when teams cheat up to stop the run.  The defense will again be one of the best in the NFL due to the awesome talent they have in every unit.  Take the over with confidence.

The over/under is 8 wins for the Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens are 30-1 to win the Super Bowl, and 14-1 to win the AFC.

The suggestion here is that the bookies are right on the money here.  I think the Ravens will finish 8-8, but a key bounce either way could be the big difference in the over or the under.  Keep your money in your pocket.

The Ravens have dominated the Oakland Raiders for awhile now.  The Ravens have covered in six of the last seven meetings, including the last three in Baltimore.  The Raiders are breaking in Aaron Brooks who has a penchant for throwing the ball up for grabs when he feels the heat coming, and I have no doubt the Ravens will be bringing it.  So week two, take the Ravens and laugh all the way to the bank.