Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals 1/3/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 12/29/2020 at 8:45 PM ET

In the final week of the NFL season, the Ravens still have plenty left to play for and are tied with four other AFC teams at 10-5. Baltimore has won four straight games and the offense that once looked lost is beginning to click scoring an average of 37 points in their win streak. The Bengals have won two straight, one of the biggest upsets in the NFL with a 27-17 win over the Steelers and then a 37-31 win over the Texans to improve to 4-10-1 on the year.

Baltimore’s offense revolves nearly entirely on super-star quarterback Lamar Jackson, he struggled specifically early on in the year throwing the ball and has completed 64.8% of his passes for 2,644 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s thrown 8 interceptions but a lot of his value comes from his ability to make plays with his legs. Jackson has rushed for 908 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year. 

As a whole, the Ravens have had a major dip in production offensively from last year to this year but still boast a lethal rushing attack averaging an NFL best 177.8 yards per game. Despite that, they average just 352.3 yards per game and 28.7 points per game, making them a top 10 scoring offense in the NFL this season. 

The Bengals lost #1 overall draft pick, Joe Burrow, due to injury and are well out of the playoff picture now, they’ve won back to back games behind Brandon Allen who has played solid in reserve. He’s completing 69.4% of his passes of the year, throwing for 877 yards and 5 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. 

As a whole, the Bengals' offense has been extremely pass-heavy but is among the worst in the NFL averaging just 20.5 points per game to come in 27th in scoring offense. Cincinnati is averaging 328.1 yards per game, also ranking 27th and without Burrow, those numbers are no doubt bound to continue to dip. Especially against a motivated and talented Ravens defense. 

The Ravens defense is allowing just 338.7 yards per game and 20 points per game, the fourth-best scoring defense in the NFL this season and top-10 in total defense. Cincinattis’ defense has struggled all year long allowing 380.1 yards and 25.7 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom half of the NFL. 

Although Burrow showed some glimpses, the Bengals need a lot more help before they’re going to be competing in a tough NFC North division. Baltimore with a win can clinch their playoff spot and should have no problems doing so, although the Bengals have won two in a row it hasn’t been against a defense of this caliber. The Ravens come out ready to play and dominated the outmatched and depleted Bengals. Final score prediction, Baltimore Ravens win and cover ATS 37-17. 

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