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Ravens vs. Bengals: Preview, odds, prediction, live stream for Week 2

By Cody Williams

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a ball out of bounds while being defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a ball out of bounds while being defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals both look to capitalize off of season-opening wins as they meet in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football.

Entering Week 2 of the 2018 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are currently tied for the lead in the AFC North. That, of course, stems from the fact that both the Steelers and Browns tied in their matchup against one another last week. However, it’s also due to the fact that the Ravens and Bengals enter their Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 2 having won last week.

Baltimore absolutely put a hurting on the Buffalo Bills last week. Despite concerns about the offense stemming from their shortcomings last season, Joe Flacco and the Ravens torched the Bills secondary throughout the entire day. However, you have to believe that, against a much better defense this week, they’ll hope to find more success for Alex Collins this week.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore defense came up in a big way, making Nathan Peterman have one of the worst quarterback performances in recent memory (maybe since his first career start last year). Again, this should be a tougher test for them, especially with Jimmy Smith still out, but this team has long loaded up on defense and has talent at every level.

The Bengals came into this offseason with a clear focus on fixing their biggest issues from last season. Chief among those issues was the play of the offensive line, which they addressed by trading for tackle Cordy Glenn and drafting Billy Price. Those additions seemed to go well for them against the Colts last week as Andy Dalton and Joe Mixon both had room to work all day.

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As for the defense, Cincinnati locked up Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap because, well, you don’t want to let those players go. With the Ravens offensive line still untested, it’ll be interesting to see if that group, in addition to the likes of Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis, can cause Flacco and Co. problems on Thursday night.

TV and Live Stream Info

Date: Thursday, Sept. 13
Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
TV Info: NFL Network
Live Stream: NFL.com, FuboTV

Baltimore actually opened up as three-point favorites in this game, but the odds have since taken a slide more in favor of the home team. In fact, Cincinnati is actually favored to win in some places. However, let’s take a look at the odds for the game as they currently stand.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Ravens -1
Moneyline: Ravens -120, Bengals +100
Over/Under: 45

All odds courtesy of Odds Shark

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Prediction

At the end of the day, I think that the Bengals just have a more complete roster than the Ravens. Yes, I know what Baltimore did last week was impressive, but I truly believe that has far more to do with Buffalo than this team. When they now come up against a divisional foe that’s competent (or even more so) on both sides of the ball, they’ll fall, even if by a tight margin.

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 14, Cincinnati Bengals 20

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