Free Picks: Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens, Week 5

It’s always tough going up against one of the best teams in the league, but Joe Burrow is up to the challenge. The number one pick in the 2020 draft has performed admirably in his four career starts, but the Baltimore Ravens will present his toughest challenge yet. 888sport has the Baltimore Ravens favoured by -13.5 at home.

You’re probably thinking that there isn’t much to be said here in the favour of the Bengals. You might be right, but they haven’t been that bad. They’re 1-2-1 but both of their losses were within five points and are coming off a win against the equally offensively challenged Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.

Joe Burrow looks pretty good so far in his young career. Throughout the first four games of the season, he has a completion percentage of 65.5 and six touchdowns to his name. Despite playing behind a highly suspect offensive line, he’s been able to avoid committing a lot turnovers, which is the norm for rookie quarterbacks.

So far, the Ravens don’t seem as impressive as they did in 2019, but nonetheless, they’re still 3-1, with their only loss coming to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. Some betting trends indicate that the Bengals aren’t as much of a pushover opponent against the Ravens as you’d think. The Bengals are 4-1 ATS against the Ravens in their last 5 games in played in Baltimore.

It feels wrong, and I may regret it, but I have a feeling that this game will be closer than oddsmakers are predicting. Divisional games are usually tougher affairs too. There’s more on the line, so teams usually bring their A-game. Baltimore’s fantastic, but it’s a lot of points and I’m going to take them here this week.

FREE PICK: BENGALS TO COVER +13.5 POINT SPREAD

• Cincinnati are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Baltimore
• Cincinnati are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against Baltimore
• Baltimore are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games at home
• The UNDER has cashed in 4 of the Ravens last 5