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NFL Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Ravens vs. Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals just didn’t look ready to play in Week 1. And it makes sense, as Joe Burrow missed most of camp with a calf injury. Combine rust with miserable conditions and a Browns defense that could be among the league’s best with Jim Schwartz at the helm, and it was the perfect storm. Cincinnati should match up far better with a Ravens defense that’s struggled to contain Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in the past. To make matters worse, Baltimore will be without top cornerback Marlon Humphrey as well as safety Marcus Williams, not to mention two starters on the offensive line. Oh, and Mark Andrews might miss another game, and we’ve seen how critical he is for Lamar Jackson. Let’s also not forget Jackson and the Ravens’ offense struggled against a Texans defense that’s well-coached but not overly talented. I get a little squeamish laying more than a field goal in a divisional game, but I’d expect a top-notch effort from Burrow against an undermanned Ravens defense.
Pick: Cincinnati -3 / Ja’Marr Chase over 80.5 receiving yards
-Matt Barbato
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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