The Cincinnati Bengals once again enter a week as massive underdogs.
This time, the opponent out of a bye is the Baltimore Ravens. Given the circumstances, it’s almost a wonder this line isn’t even bigger.
Early in the week, the line opened featuring the Bengals as 9.5-point underdogs at home, according to BetMGM.
Generous, considering those Ravens have won four in a row and Lamar Jackson looks like an MVP contender coming off a 37-20 win over the New England Patriots.
A prior matchup between these two doesn’t paint things in a good light either. Back in Week 6, the Bengals lost to the Ravens 23-17. But keep in mind Brandon Wilson scored on the opening kickoff return and Andy Dalton rushed for a score with less than two minutes left, inflating the score in a game that really wasn’t that close.
Perhaps the only thing keeping this line somewhat respectable is the fact the Bengals and A.J. Green are the healthiest they’ve been since the offseason.
Even then, the task facing rookie quarterback Ryan Finley is huge, the weather is miserable and Paul Brown Stadium doesn’t figure to be packed.
In past years the Bengals have resembled something of a savvy underdog play. But this time, it’s probably best to steer clear and wait to see if the team shows any sign of life at all over the final eight games.
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