Last Updated on September 19, 2010 3:48 pm by Anthony Rome
Ravens vs. Bengals Free Pick
Are the Baltimore Ravens destined to start the year 2-0 when they take on a Cincinnati Bengals team that started the year so poorly in New England?
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Bengals 2.5-point home underdogs for their game against the Ravens, while the over/under is sitting at 40 points.
The Ravens Win If:
Their secondary doesn’t allow the Bengals’ passing game to open up the run with Cedric Benson. Cincinnati has been very clear about one thing over the last year: they want to run the football. But just as the Ravens proved on Monday night against the Jets, their run defense is a major strength. However, their pass defense is their Achilles heel so if Carson Palmer can move the sticks with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco through the air, the running game may open up for Benson. If the Ravens can hold their own in pass coverage, then they control Benson at the line of scrimmage and escape Cincinnati with a huge divisional victory.
The Bengals Win If:
They can generate a pass rush, which is their biggest issue right now. It’s early in the season, but the Bengals already have some major problems in the pass rush department. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was way too predictable with his blitz calls last Sunday and Tom Brady tore Cincinnati’s defense apart. The Bengals have two outstanding young corners in Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, but Zimmer can’t telegraph where the pressure is coming from like he did last weekend. Not against Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin and an improved Baltimore passing game. If the Bengals can limit Ray Rice and make Flacco uncomfortable in the pocket, then they certainly have enough weapons on offense to win this game.
Prediction:
This game will prove the ebb and flow of a NFL season. The Ravens are coming off a huge road win against the Jets on Monday night and the Bengals were stomped in New England. So take Baltimore and the low spread right? Keep in mind that Cincinnati is much better than what it showed last Sunday in Foxboro and they beat the Ravens twice last year. With Baltimore coming off a short week of rest and preparation (plus having to play on the road for the second straight week), the Bengals are the pick. They should come out more motivated and focused then they were a week ago and Palmer wins this one through the air.
2010 NFL Week 2 Free Pick: CINCINNATI BENGALS +2.5
BONUS PICK: OVER 40