Ravens, Bengals play division tilt
Considering what happened in the rain at Cleveland last 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 midSeptember, after the divisionfavourite 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 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 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 KNOCKOUT POOL
We warned everyone last week that we aren’t very saintly in these things, and New Orleans’ flop proved that. We’re obligated to keep trying and will go with the LA RAMS. No. 28 Oakland (plus 6) at No. 14 Denver
Not exactly Orange Crush defence, but Broncos will put Mile High hit on Jon Gruden’s Raiders. BEST BET: BRONCOS, 23-13 No. 3 Minnesota (plus 1) at No. 6 Green Bay
No miracle finishes for ARod and Pack this time, though this isn’t much of an ...
UPSET SPECIAL: VIKINGS, 27-20
No. 1 New England (minus 2) at No. 5 Jacksonville
AFC championship game rematch — and perhaps harbinger for January. No revenge for Jaguars. PATRIOTS, 27-16 No. 7 Kansas City (plus 5 12) at No. 11 Pittsburgh
Steelers fall behind even more in AFC race and Chiefs prosper.
CHIEFS, 2624
No. 19 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 7) at No. 32 Buffalo
Bills can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are. CHARGERS, 27-10 No. 31 Arizona (plus 13) at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams
Cardinals can’t possibly be as bad as they looked in opener. Or maybe they are. RAMS, 26-10 No. 30 Detroit (plus 5 1-2) at No. 23 San Francisco Lions can’t possibly ... you get it.
49ERS, 20-17 No. 18 Miami (plus 3) at No. 17 New York Jets
Battle to keep pace with Patriots in AFC East — at least through two weeks. J-E-T-S, 23-21 No. 8 Carolina (plus 5 1-2) at No. 10 Atlanta
Red zone scares Falcons, strange occurrence for a team wearing that colour. 3) to FALCONS, No. If EAGLES, at re-evaluate. Buccaneers No. 2 Philadelphia 15 21-20 Tampa 20-17 win Bay this, (minus time 1-2) surprise No. Redskins at 29 No. as Indianapolis 12 Bucs were Washington last as pleasant week. (plus 5 a Revival REDSKINS, No. 27 continues Cleveland 26-19 in (plus DC. 8) at be No. Who more 13 New thought embarrassed Orleans Saints team would in opener SAINTS, than 27-15 Browns? (plus No. NBC 3) 24 and at New No. NFL York 25 love Dallas Giants this as prime-time they COWBOYS, both are matchup. 0-1, 17-16 guys. Hey, 22 No. Chicago, 21 Seattle Monday (plus night 3) at No. collapse Bears need behind to put them. Lambeau
BEARS, No. 20 Houston 20-16 (no line) at No. Tough 26 Tennessee 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) 1-0 against spread, 1-0 Best Upset straight Bet: special: up 0-1 against spread, 0-1 straight up