At 4-3 the Ravens now have their eyes set on the division leading Bengals, a team they lost to just three weeks ago in Baltimore. These teams last met a few short weeks ago in Week 5 with the Bengals coming from behind to win 17-14 on a late touchdown drive.
Rematch against the Ravens
Carson Palmer is 7-3 in his career against Baltimore, but for him to improve on this mark, it will likely have more to do with Cedric Benson’s performance than his own. Benson has been sensational this season, rushing for 720 yards, on a 4.4 yards per carry average, and four touchdowns. In the first meeting against the Ravens, Benson became the first player to break the century mark against them since 2006.
If the Bengals can run the football effectively against this week, Palmer has plenty of weapons to expose the Ravens through the air or via play-actions. The Bengals have given up just 11 sacks in seven games, so getting to Carson Palmer could be more of a challenge.
How to stop Palmer?
Baltimore stayed alive on Sunday, handing the Broncos their first defeat of the season with a 30-7 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. The last time these teams met, the Ravens were missing LT Gaither and the Bengals had Antwan Odom, the league's leading sacker at the time. Now, Gaither's back and Odom's on the IR. I doubt the Bengals will be able to pressure Joe Flacco, who completed all but five passes against the Broncos. They'll be able to contain the run pretty well - they rank eighth against it - but Ray Rice has proven that he can break one at any moment.
Once concern for Baltimore is its secondary. The defensive backfield played very well last week, but that was against Kyle Orton and his girly arm. Palmer can actually get the ball downfield, as the Ravens saw first-hand. This will be the real test for Baltimore's secondary.
Betting prediction
Both of these teams have played a lot of close games, and according to the odds makers, this one will be decided by a field goal. Palmer allways plays great against the Ravens. Flacco and Rice seams to be unstoppable right now. Teams konw each other very well. Expect a high scoring affair with power offenses. Take the over total points.
Full NFL coverage at BEt365! Live NFL betting available, as well!
Our tip: Bet 8 on Total points over 43.5
Odds 1.94 at
Bookmaker: 10BET
