NFL Betting Preview
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, 7:00 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Bengals -2.5, Total 40

The first game of a Monday night football doubleheader takes place in Cincinnati tonight as the Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati was a big disappointment a year ago as they finished 8-8 after being pegged as a possible Super Bowl contender. The Bengals have a star quarterback in Carson Palmer, excellent wide receivers in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and a solid running back in Rudi Johnson. If they can play defense, then the Bengals have a chance to make a lot of noise this season. SBG Global reports that early betting has the public taking the favored Bengals at home.

Palmer threw for a career-high 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago but he wants more this season. "You want guys on your team that you know you can count on, guys that are going to be here to play week in and week out," said Palmer, "When it's crunch time, you know they're going to make the right decisions. Whether it's crunch time and they're being peer-pressured to do something outside of football, or it's crunch time on third down and you have to make a play."

The Ravens know that the Bengals have an offense that can move the ball effectively. “Anytime you play a team in our division, it’s tough,” said defensive tackle Kelly Gregg. “They have one of the best offensive lines around. They’ve got a center that has some experience, two big guards and the tackles [are good]. They are one of the best offenses in the NFL, and it definitely starts with the offensive line.”

SBG Global Current Line: Bengals -3 (+105), Total 40 (-115)

The Ravens are coming off a franchise-best 13-3 record last year. The offense was a problem for the Ravens though as they averaged just 22.1 points per game and only scored 6 points in the loss to the Colts in the playoffs. "You use it as a motivation, you use it as a challenge," coach Brian Billick said. "You recognize what you did well, you identify what it is that left you with that feeling. That's what we're about to rectify." Quarterback Steve McNair threw for 3,050 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, "When you think of the Baltimore Ravens, you're going to think about the defense. And that's one of the things we want to overcome," McNair said. "We can be that great offense. We can be that balanced team. We know we've proven that last year and we want to prove that more this year."

The Ravens dumped Jamal Lewis in the off-season and brought in Willis McGahee who they got in a trade from the Buffalo Bills. "He came here for one reason: to run the ball and make our offense better," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "I think he did that as soon as he got here." The

The Baltimore defense is always good led by linebacker Ray Lewis but they did lose linebacker Adalius Thomas to the New England Patriots. "As much as they hated to lose Adalius Thomas, this group is very confident that it can reformulate itself," Billick said.

The home team won both games last year. The Bengals have won four of the last five overall. The Ravens have not won at Cincinnati since 2003.

The Ravens are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. The Ravens are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog. The Ravens are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 road games.

The Bengals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games in September. The Bengals are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on Grass. The Bengals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Bengals are 7-16-2 ATS in their last 25 games as a home favorite. The Bengals are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 home games. The Favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings between the two teams and the home team 11-5 ATS in their last 16 meetings.

The Over is 4-1 in the Ravens last 5 Monday games. The Under is 15-5-1 in the Ravens last 21 games as an underdog. The Under is 6-2 in the Ravens last 8 games overall. The Under is 16-6-3 in the Ravens last 25 vs. the AFC. The Under is 21-8-1 in the Ravens last 30 games in September. The Under is 18-7-2 in the Ravens last 27 road games. The Under is 36-15-1 in the Ravens last 52 games as a road underdog.

The Under is 4-0 in the Bengals last 4 games as a favorite. The Under is 6-1 in the Bengals last 7 games overall. The Under is 5-1 in the Bengals last 6 vs. the AFC. The Under is 4-1 in the Bengals last 5 games on Grass. The Under is 10-3 in the Bengals last 13 games in September. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

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