Bengals vs. Ravens Week 7 Picks: Cats Hang Tough on Road

Sportsbook Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2021 4:08 AM EDT • 2 min 19 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Cincinnati enters this Week 7 matchup with a chance to tie Baltimore atop the AFC North. Our Bengals and Ravens picks explain why we expect a tight and low-scoring game at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a convincing 34-11 win over the Lions last week and easily covered as 3.5-point road underdogs. Quarterback Joe Burrow looked sharp, tossing three touchdowns and 271 yards in the win to bring the Cats to 4-2 straight up and 3-3 against the spread.

While Cincinnati was decimating the Lions, the Baltimore Ravens were busy manhandling the Chargers in Week 6. Lamar Jackson took a backseat in this game while the veteran trio of Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Latavius Murray each broke the plane of the end zone. But the big star of this game was the Baltimore defense that silenced Justin Herbert and the Chargers' prolific offensive machine. When the dust settled, the Ravens to 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL Week 7 matchup between the Bengals and Ravens (odds via Unibet).

Bengals vs. Ravens Week 7 Game Info

Date/Time: Sunday, October 24, 1 p.m. ETTV: CBSLocation: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MDWeather: 64 degrees, 10 mph NW winds

Bengals vs. Ravens Odds

This line has not wavered since being released earlier this week. The Ravens have been installed as 6.5-point home favorites for this Week 7 matchup and that is where it stands as of Saturday morning.

The total, like the point spread, had been rock solid at 47 across the board for the week but has been bet down to 46 at some sportsbooks.

Bengals vs. Ravens Picks

Bengals +6.5 (-113)Under 47

Bengals vs. Ravens Predictions

Bengals +6.5 (-113)

The Bengals are more equipped to slow down the Ravens’ offense than they have been in a long time. Their edge rushers are faster and their linebackers can cover from sideline to sideline which will diminish Jackson’s ability to scoot out of the pocket and move the chains by running the ball.

Cincinnati is ranked eighth in stopping the run, surrendering 90.5 rushing yards per game while its pass defense is middle of the pack, allowing 240.5 yards per contest. The Ravens will likely try to wear out the Bengals with their group of vet running backs along with the dangerous Jackson.

But that's fine by me as running the ball means chewing up the clock. And if we are getting nearly a touchdown head start, then time is on our side because the lower the score, the better our chances of covering the number.

Burrow should be able to work well against this Ravens defense as they are fond of bringing blitz packages. Few quarterbacks handle the blitz, check that, thrive against the blitz, like Burrow. He scans the field rapidly and has a quick release. He has potent weapons in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, along with Joe Mixon in the backfield.

Grab the points with the road dog here.

https://twitter.com/SBRSportsPicks/status/1451322430639599637

Under 47 (-125)

The Under has cashed in the last five consecutive Bengals games, part of that is because their defense is vastly improved. It happened again last week as they defanged the Lions, holding them to 11 points and easing Under the 46 total.

Similarly, the Ravens have gone low in three of their last four games as their offense is focused more on the run than off the arm of Jackson.

It should be more of the same for this game as we will see a steady pattern of running the rock on both sides of the ball.

Go low here.