Ravens vs. Bengals: 2023 NFL AFC Wild Card Weekend Picks & Predictions (Sunday)
Lamar Jackson hasn’t played since Dec. 4th, and he’s poised to miss his sixth straight game if reports so far this week are accurate.
When the Baltimore Ravens travel to their NFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night in the AFC Wild Card Round, they are more optimistic that backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will be ready than the injured Jackson.
For the Bengals, outside of receiver Tee Higgins (sickness) and guard Alex Cappa (ankle), things are looking healthy for the defending AFC Champs.
What does this all mean for Sunday night? Let’s take a closer look.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Guide >>
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
2023 NFL AFC Wild Card Best Bets for Sunday: Ravens vs. Bengals
Details
- Opening Line: Bengals -6.5 | O/U 43.5
- Current Line: Bengals -8.5 | O/U 40.5
- Last meeting: January 8, 2023 – Ravens 16, Bengals 27
Overview
Jackson suffered a knee injury against the Denver Broncos more than five weeks ago, and recovery from the MCL sprain has been difficult. Jackson’s legs are a key component of his game, and on Wednesday he missed practice yet again due to persistent knee swelling.
If a contract extension isn’t signed, Jackson might be an unrestricted free agent after this season, a risk he took on himself prior to this fiasco. In that situation, Baltimore may place the franchise tag on him to prevent him from entering the free-agent market. Jackson acts as his own agent, which raises the possibility that there is a significant financial element to this situation both presently and next season.
With regard to Jackson’s health, Harbaugh stated that he had “no developments at this time,†leaving sixth-seeded Baltimore (10-7) to hope that Huntley would be ready. Due to wrist and shoulder pain, he also was unable to play in last Sunday’s 27-16 loss to the Bengals in the regular season finale.
Huntley was constrained throughout practice on Wednesday yet again, leaving Anthony Brown in line to make his second NFL Start. Last Saturday, he started the first game of his career against Cincinnati and completed 19 of 44 passes for 286 yards while also tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble.
On the side of the field occupied by third-seeded Cincinnati, there are no issues with the quarterback. Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ star signal caller, wants to take his team (12-4) back to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year.
Since suffering a defeat to the Cleveland Browns on Halloween, Cincinnati has won its last eight regular-season games to storm up the AFC standings.
Bottom Line
The Ravens defeated Cincinnati in the first game of the season, but the Jackson controversy has undoubtedly reduced their prospects of succeeding in the eyes of the market, as this line has jumped two points since opening.
In addition to Jackson, other Ravens who missed practice this week include running back Gus Edwards (concussion) and long snapper Nick Moore (sickness). The team also reported that cornerback Brandon Stephens (sickness) was hospitalized in Cincinnati last Sunday immediately following their game against the Bengals.
The Bengals roll in this one.
Pick: Bengals -8.5
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