Bengals vs. Ravens prediction, odds, spread, line: 2023 NFL playoff picks, bets by proven model on 161-113 run
For the second time in as many weeks, the Baltimore Ravens will travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals. But this time, the stakes are much higher as the AFC North rivals meet Sunday night on Super Wild Card Weekend in a prime-time showdown. The No. 3-seeded Bengals (12-4) earned their second straight division title with a 27-16 win over the No. 6-seeded Ravens (10-7), who chose to rest several key starters in anticipation of Sunday's rematch.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Cincinnati is an 8-point favorite and the over/under for total points scored is 40 in the latest Bengals vs. Ravens odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Before locking in any Ravens vs. Bengals picks of your own, make sure you check out the NFL playoff predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Super Wild Card Weekend in the 2023 NFL playoffs on an incredible 161-113 run on top-rated NFL picks, dating to the 2017 season. It is also on a 15-6 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of this season.
What's more, the model ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.
Now, the model has studied Ravens vs. Bengals from every angle and locked in its NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the NFL odds and betting trends for Ravens vs. Bengals:
- Bengals vs. Ravens spread: Bengals -8
- Bengals vs. Ravens over/under total: 40 points
- Bengals vs. Ravens money line: Bengals -455, Ravens +345
- BAL: The Ravens are 7-1 against the spread in their past eight road playoff games
- CIN: The Bengals are 4-0-1 ATS in their past five playoff games
- Bengals vs. Ravens picks: See picks here
Why the Bengals can cover
The Bengals scored just three points in the second half last week against the Ravens, an uncharacteristic letdown they attributed to apathy after building a 24-7 halftime lead and a credit to Baltimore's defense for playing hard despite the three-score deficit.
Quarterback Joe Burrow had a modest outing by his standards, going 25-of-42 for 215 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a rating of 80.9. Although Cincinnati controlled the game and didn't need Burrow to carry the team, the signal-caller told the media afterward that he wasn't happy with his performance and vowed to avoid a repeat in the playoff rematch Sunday. "I did not like the way I played today," Burrow said. "I missed throws I usually make, but I won't miss those again." See which team to pick here.
Why the Ravens can cover
Some good news for the Ravens is that their big-play secondary should be at full health for Sunday's game and the unit will be relied upon to slow down Cincinnati's high-powered attack. Cornerback Marcus Peters, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will return to the lineup after being purposely held out last Sunday for rest. The oft-injured veteran, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, has been an integral part of the secondary this season. For example, he had two fumble recoveries and an interception in Baltimore's 37-26 Week 3 victory over the New England Patriots.
The club also benefits from the return of safety Marcus Williams, who led the Ravens with four interceptions in the regular season despite missing eight weeks because of a wrist injury. He had one of the team's three interceptions in a 16-14 Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cornerback Brandon Stephens also is set to return to the lineup after he was absent last week because of an illness. See which team to pick here.
How to make Ravens vs. Bengals picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over the point total, projecting 45 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
