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Ravens — Bengals Week 18 Predictions

The Bengals are favored by 6.5 points over the Ravens.
Todd Karpovich|
Ravens — Bengals Week 18 Predictions
Ravens — Bengals Week 18 Predictions

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Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals are an almost unanimous pick to beat the Ravens in Week 18.

Here is the Predictions Roundup:

SI/Raven County

Analysis: "The Ravens are going to struggle to match the firepower of the Bengals, who are seeking their second straight AFC North title and perhaps the top seed in the playoffs depending on what the NFL decides with the postponed game against the Bills. The Bengals will look to jump out to an early lead and then they will keep their foot on the gas. They know if the Ravens fall behind, they will struggle to keep up." 

The Pick: Bengals 27, Ravens 13

NFL.com

Analysis: “Zac Taylor is a real one. In his actions on the field Monday night and in his press availability Wednesday, Taylor showed tremendous leadership. There’s no way to know how the events of the last week will impact the Bengals on the field, so I’m evaluating these teams as if it’s another game, which it most certainly is not. Lamar Jackson is still not back at practice, and these teams are not equally matched even if he were to play. While the Ravens' defense may be the better side, the Bengals' offense is more complete and explosive. In big games, lean offense. If Jackson plays, add a touchdown to the Ravens.”

The Pick: Bengals 24, Ravens 14

Sporting News

Analysis: “The Ravens just can't find enough offense without Lamar Jackson beyond Mark Andrews and the running game. The Bengals will be working to gain better momentum going into their AFC championship repeat run. There's a chance this is the rematch for the first round of the playoffs, so Zac Taylor and Lou Anarumo must be a bit wary of what they plan to do a third time with Joe Burrow and the defense.“

The Pick: Bengals 24, Ravens 17

CBS Sports

Analysis:  “I think the Bengals will come out and light up the Ravens defense. Bengals win it.”

The Pick: Bengals 29, Ravens 21

ProFootballTalk

Analysis: “When D.J. Reader’s on the field nobody runs the ball on the Bengals. … I’d have a hard time thinking that the Ravens are just going to be able to rely on that. Let alone we know the Bengals are good in the secondary and that Ravens offense, even if you do over-commit to stop the run, there’s nobody to worry about at receiver, and they can play them man to man and stop them that way.”

The Pick: Bengals 28, Ravens 13

Baltimore Sun

Analysis: "The Ravens have to get their running game going but also need to take some shots downfield. They are going to need explosive plays, which might come in the return game, but the Ravens lack impact players on offense. The Bengals are pretty healthy for this game, which doesn’t bode well for Baltimore." — Mike Preston

The Pick: Bengals 21, Ravens 13:

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Todd Karpovich
TODD KARPOVICH

Twitter: @toddkarpovich Email: todd.karpovich@gmail.com Skype: todd.karpovich Todd Karpovich has been a contributor for ESPN, Forbes, the Associated Press, Lindy's, and The Baltimore Sun, among other media outlets nationwide. He is the co-author of “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Baltimore Ravens Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box,” “Skipper Supreme: Buck Showalter and the Baltimore Orioles,” and the author of “Manchester United (Europe's Best Soccer Clubs).” Karpovich, a Baltimore native, is a graduate of Calvert Hall College high school, Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, and has a Masters of Science from Towson University. 

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