Sports betting is now legal in Ohio, and users can sign up at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and more to wager on the Bengals-Ravens matchup.
The point spread has jumped to 9.5 points, as there is uncertainty at quarterback for the Ravens.
A blowout tends to skew the statistics, which is something to keep in mind as you wager on this game. Here are three prop bets I like in the matchup.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon over 51.5 rushing yards (-113 at FanDuel)
Cincinnati has the fourth-most efficient rushing attack in the NFL this season, according to Football Outsiders, and Mixon should get a heavy load in this game, especially if the Bengals hold a late lead and are trying to burn clock.
Mixon is averaging 4.0 yards per carry and if he can have that type of efficiency in this game, I’m confident he will get at least 13 carries to push him over this total. The Ravens are stingy against the run, and linebacker Roquan Smith is a beast, but Baltimore has to be worried about the Bengals’ dominant passing attack first and foremost.
I think Mixon will have some light boxes to run in, and reaching 52 yards is very attainable.
Cincinnati Bengals under 24.5 points (-115 at DraftKings)
The Bengals’ offense is dynamic and Joe Burrow is currently second in the odds to win MVP behind only Patrick Mahomes. With Ja’Marr Chase back in the fold, the Bengals could very well explode in this game and put up 27 or 30 points.
However, the Ravens are going to be using either a second- or third-string quarterback, and will undoubtedly choose to run the ball often in order to keep the game competitive. That style of play milks the clock, which could lead to fewer possessions.
And if the Bengals are hyper-efficient with their offense early on, it could mean a big lead heading into the fourth quarter. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Cincinnati have 21 or 24 points going into the final frame, but if the Ravens only have 10, the Bengals won’t need to keep their foot on the gas throughout.
I think Cincy pulls back down the stretch and finishes under 24 points.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow under 278.5 passing yards (-113 at FanDuel)
Burrow has been on an absolute tear lately, averaging 287.5 passing yards per game. I expect his success to continue in this game, but I’m not sure the volume will be there for him to get to 279 yards.
While the Bengals are happy to put the game on his arm, I simply don’t think he will be needed to air it out down the stretch. The Cincinnati defense may very well dominate this game, which would mean short fields and numbers that don’t look gaudy in the passing game.
Burrow and the Bengals are more than capable of winning a shootout, but this game isn’t going to play out like that. I see him finishing around 250 passing yards with a couple of touchdowns, falling short of the passing yardage mark.
Overall Prop Bets Record: 80-78
