Bengals at Ravens: Game preview, odds, prediction

Previewing and predicting the Baltimore Ravens clash with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 of the NFL season.

The Baltimore Ravens meet AFC North rival the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T North Bank Stadium this Sunday, both teams looking to rebound from defeats in Week 11. The 5-5 Ravens were humbled 27-17 on the road by the red-hot Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, there were no home comforts for the 3-6-1 Bengals, who were pipped 16-12 by the Buffalo Bills at home in Paul Brown Stadium.

The Baltimore defense suffered a sobering experience against the Cowboys. Yards were surrendered freely, both on the ground and through the air. The Dallas offensive outburst was summed up by this factoid from NFL Research:

The Ravens inability to make rookie quarterback Dak Prescott uncomfortable in the pocket was an issue. In particular, coordinator Dean Pees’ designer blitz pressures frequently failed to get the quarterback.

The result was a Cowboys offense that controlled the clock with two marathon-length touchdown drives in the second half.

Odds

Line: BAL (-4)

Over/Under: 41.5

The Ravens are narrow favorites in their head-to-head against the Bengals, with Odds Shark tipping them by four. But a lot will depend on a usually stingy defense being back to its best.

Next: AFC Playoff Picture: Week 12

Prediction

The Bengals may struggle to control the clock considering their lack of balance on offense. Specifically, quarterback Andy Dalton doesn’t have the luxury of a consistent ground game to support him. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard combined for just 83 yards on 23 carries against the Bills.

The issue is compounded by Dalton being without his No. 1 target in the passing game. Dynamic wide receiver A.J. Green will miss the game after straining his hamstring, per John Breech of CBS Sports.

Rookie Tyler Boyd stepped up somewhat in Green’s absence in Week 11. This year’s second-round pick snagged six of Dalton’s passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Boyd is very much a possession-style receiver and without Green’s ability to stretch the field, a defense can condense its coverage and force Dalton and Co. into small-ball offense. It’s what the Bills did in Week 11.

What the Bengals need is tight end Tyler Eifert to be on point. He can press inside routes vertically and offer Dalton a legitimate big-play threat in Green’s absence.

But Eifert only caught three passes against Buffalo. Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese must find new ways to free him against Ravens’ inside linebackers Zach Orr and the outstanding C.J. Mosley.

The Bengals received an outstanding game from linebacker Vontaze Burfict in Week 11. He recorded 13 total tackles, with 11 solo stops, and also sacked Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Ravens have to know where No. 55 is on every play this week and controlling Burfict could open up holes for their running game.

Against Dallas, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh didn’t stick with the run. Ken Dixon and Terrance West combined for a mere 14 carries. Considering the Ravens O-line, led by punishing guard Marshal Yanda, was creating movement at will, Harbaugh should give the ground game an extended look this week. After all, the Bengals are ranked 28th against the run, per the league’s official site.

The Ravens were brought back down to earth last week, after seeming ready to take control of their playoff fate. But they can still establish a tight grip over the division against a wounded Bengals team whose season already appears lost.

Pick: Ravens 23, Bengals 13