Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
3
May
7:00 PM
CLE
ORL
+3.5
-3.5
200
9:30 PM
LAC
DAL
+7.5
-7.5
207.5
Saturday
4
May
1:00 PM
MIN
DEN
+4
-4
208

Ravens Still Favored to Win AFC North in NFL Divisional Odds After Being Blown Out by Bengals

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NFL Football

Updated Oct 24, 2021 · 6:14 PM PDT

Joe Burrow Ja'Marr chase fist bump
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, center right, and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) play during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
  • Baltimore’s average odds to win the AFC North have been lengthened from -226 to -110 after suffering a 41-17 defeat to Cincinnati
  • The Bengals’ average divisional odds have been slashed from +900 to +300 following the blowout victory
  • Read below for analysis on who is the best bet to win the AFC North following Week 7

The Cincinnati Bengals put the entire AFC North on notice in Week 7, blowing out division leading Baltimore 41-17 on the road. Cincy has now won four of five and boasts the same 5-2 record as the Ravens, but rank ahead in the standings thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

AFC North Odds

Team Odds
Baltimore Ravens -110
Cincinnati Bengals +300
Cleveland Browns +300
Pittsburgh Steelers +1400

Odds as of Oct. 24th at DraftKings.

Despite the impressive victory, bookmakers are not ready to crown the Bengals division champs just yet. Cincinnati remains a sizeable underdog to Baltimore in the NFL Divisional Odds, although the gap has tightened.

The Bengals entered Week 7 with average odds of +900 to win the AFC North, but that number is now down to +300. Baltimore on the other hand, was a -226 favorite entering the week, and is now just barely better than even money.

Burrow and Chase Living Up to the Hype

Bengals QB Joe Burrow looks like a completely different player from his rookie campaign, and his new star rookie receiver, and former college teammate, Ja’Marr Chase has a lot to do with it.

Burrow threw for a career-high 416 yards versus the Ravens, to go along with three touchdown passes and a pick. He’s just the 12th quarterback since the merger to throw at least two TD passes in seven straight games to start the season, while Chase is simply dominating.

The offensive rookie of the year favorite racked up eight more catches in Week 7 for 201 yards and a touchdown. He’s recorded the most receiving yards of any player in his first seven games, and he’s now found the end zone in all but two of his seven outings as a pro.

Cincy’s win over Baltimore was its first since 2018, after losing the previous six meetings by a combined 101 points. Burrow and Chase will get all the headlines, but don’t overlook how well the defense played.

The Bengals were in Lamar Jackson’s face all game, sacking him five times, while holding him below a 50% completion rate. They held Ravens running backs to only 29 yards rushing, while forcing six punts and three turnovers on downs.

Cincy entered the week as a top-five run defense and top-eight coverage unit per Pro Football Focus, rankings that will definitely improve after the lopsided victory.

As far as their remaining schedule goes, six of the Bengals’ final 10 games are versus above .500 competition, but only two of those contests are on the road.

Super Bowl 59 Odds for 2025: 49ers Open as Favorites, But Chiefs Are Close Second
Read More

Baltimore Looks to Bounce Back

Not much went right for the Ravens in Week 7, but let’s not discount what they did through Weeks 2-6. Baltimore reeled off five straight victories, beating both Kansas City and the LA Chargers along the way. They held three of their previous four opponents below 18 points, while scoring 30+ points three times.

Jackson is on pace for the most passing attempts and yards of his career, and is averaging the highest yards per attempt of his career. The problem is that Baltimore has been hit hard by injuries at very important positions.

They lost starting corner Marcus Peters in training camp for the season, while two starting offensive lineman, including stud left tackle Ronnie Stanley have been placed on IR this month. They also lost defensive end Derek Wolfe to a hip injury, while right tackle Patrick Mekari left the Cincy game early.

The Ravens running back room has also been decimated by injuries, forcing them to lean on Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell who are both well past their primes.

Baltimore RB’s are averaging just 4.12 yards per carry, putting even more pressure on Jackson to shoulder the brunt of the rushing and passing load.

The Ravens’ remaining schedule features five playoff contenders and a daunting final five game stretch. They’re off next week and return to three winnable games versus Minnesota, Miami and Chicago, but close with two games against both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, as well as a rematch with the Bengals, and dates with Green Bay and the LA Rams.

Even More Value Coming on Bengals

Cincinnati’s AFC North odds look tempting to bet at the moment, but they should get even more favorable a month from now. Baltimore will likely take care of business in each of its next three games following the bye, which will shorten the Ravens’ price and lengthen the Bengals’, unless Cincy sweeps Las Vegas, Cleveland and the New York Jets.

At that point, barring any significant injuries, it’s wheels up for this Bengals team. Cincy should be 6-1 if not for multiple blown field goals against the Packers, and have the advantage of playing six of its final 10 games at home. The Bengals offense is among the league’s best, and their defense proved in Week 7 they are for real.

Author Image