Free Pick: Baltimore 8-6 at Cincinnati 8-6 12/26/21

The winner of this game will go a long way towards claiming the AFC North division championship. At the end of the day, they could have a two game lead over everyone else in the division. The Ravens are stumbling around in the middle of a 3-game losing streak. On the other side, the Bengals are good one week, and bad the next. It’s a matchup of an experienced team (Baltimore) against an up-and-comer (Cincinnati). Let’s look at the lines.

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

Baltimore: 21 Total Team Points Everyone knows what the Ravens would like to do and that is pound the football with the run. But, how good are you at running the ball, when your leading rusher is the quarterback? And, that quarterback (Lamar Jackson) is hurt and may not play. Back-up Tyler Huntley, came in last week and played well in their 31-30 loss to the Packers. They are going up a Bengals’ defense that plays well when they win and are bad when they lose. Which defense shows up? I’ll take the Ravens UNDER 21 team points.

Cincinnati: 23.5 Total Team Points The Bengals are averaging 26 points per game and going up against a Ravens defense that is allowing 265 yards per game through the air. So, it stands to reason, that quarterback, Joe Burrow is going to have a big game. He has thrown for 3,640 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he has also accounted for 14 interceptions. He has to play well if the Bengals are going to win. Another big key will be, if Joe Mixon is able to play. He is a 1000 yard rusher and is explosive for Cincy. I like Cincinnati UNDER 23.5 team points.

OVER/UNDER: 45 Combined Team Points I took the UNDER on both teams’ point totals and I think this will be a physical game. I will take UNDER 45 combined points.

POINT SPREAD: Cincinnati is a 2.5-point favorite This is another toss-up game. As mentioned before, the Bengals find ways to lose when they are in this situation. They are better than Baltimore, they can take control of the division, and they are home. Can they finally get over the hump?

AARON’S PICK: Baltimore +2.5

PAPA DUDES PICK: Cincinnati -2.5