Ravens-Bengals could be key to AFC North
Considering what happened in the rain at Cleveland on Sunday, the rugged AFC North looks like it will be wide open.
So tonight’s visit to Cincinnati by Baltimore takes on an extra bit of importance, even in mid-September, after the division favourite Steelers stumbled and bumbled to a 21-21 tie against the Browns.
The Ravens were all over Buffalo from the start as Joe Flacco recaptured some of that 2012 championship form and the defence destroyed the Bills.
The Bengals, meanwhile, fell in a big hole at Indianapolis and showed far more gumption than usual by climbing out of it to win.
Two teams many projected as also-rans for 2018 delivered some impressive opening performances.
“That game is behind us,” Ravens safety Tony Jefferson says. “Although it’s great to have momentum, it’s over with. It’s a new week. This is a division opponent. They know us very well and we know them very well.”
Perhaps. But these Bengals seem to have a resilience not seen often in recent seasons, though Cincinnati did show such moxie in the previous meeting with Baltimore.
The Ravens ended the last -season hosting the Bengals and fell 31-27 on Andy Dalton’s 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd with 44 seconds left. That eliminated Baltimore from the playoffs and sent Buffalo into the post-season.
The Ravens, ranked No. 9 in the AP Pro32, and No. 16 Bengals are pick-em at Paul Brown Stadium. It’s hard to fathom that Pro Picks is predicting Cincinnati will start the season 2-0. But that’s where we’ll go. BENGALS, 21-20 SUNDAY OAKLAND (plus 6) at DENVER Not exactly Orange Crush defence, but Broncos will put Mile High hit on Jon Gruden’s Raiders. BRONCOS, 23-13 MINNESOTA (plus 1) at Green Bay No miracle finishes for A-Rod and Pack this time, though this isn’t much of an upset. VIKINGS, 27-20 NEW ENGLAND (minus 2) at JACKSONVILLE AFC championship game rematch — and perhaps harbinger for January. No revenge for Jaguars. PATRIOTS, 27-16 KANSAS CITY (plus 5 ⁄ ) at PITTSBURGH Steelers fall behind even more in AFC race and Chiefs prosper. CHIEFS, 26-24 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (minus 7) at BUFFALO Bills can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are. CHARGERS, 27-10 ARIZONA (plus 13) at LOS ANGELES RAMS Cardinals can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are. RAMS, 26-10 DETROIT (plus 5 ⁄ ) at SAN FRANCISCO Lions can’t possibly … you get it. 49ERS, 20-17 MIAMI (plus 3) at NEW YORK JETS Battle to keep pace with Patriots in AFC East — at least through two weeks. JETS, 23-21 CAROLINA (plus 5 ⁄ ) at ATLANTA Red zone scares Falcons, strange occurrence for a team wearing that colour. FALCONS, 20-17 PHILADELPHIA (minus 3) at TAMPA BAY If Buccaneers win this, time to re-evaluate. EAGLES, 21-20
INDIANAPOLIS (plus 5 ⁄ ) at WASHINGTON Redskins were as pleasant a surprise as Bucs last week. Revival continues in D.C. REDSKINS, 26-19 CLEVELAND (plus 8) at NEW ORLEANS Who thought Saints would be more embarrassed team in opener than Browns? SAINTS, 27-15 NEW YORK GIANTS (plus 3) at DALLAS NBC and NFL love this as primetime matchup. Hey, they both are 0-1, guys. COWBOYS, 17-16 MONDAY SEATTLE (plus 3) at CHICAGO Bears need to put Lambeau collapse behind them. BEARS, 20-16 HOUSTON (no line) at TENNESSEE Tough start for banged-up Titans. TEXANS, 23-13 2018 RECORD Last Week: Against spread (8-7-1). Straight up: (10-5-1). Season Totals: Against spread (8-7-1). Straight up: (10-5-1).