2012 NFL Picks: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens Odds and Predictions – Free Monday Night Football Picks 9/10/2012

2012 NFL Picks: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free NFL Picks 9/10/2012: A pair of playoff hopefuls and heated rivals will meet in the first Monday night game of 2012 when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams made the playoffs last year out of theAFCNorth, but the Ravens are the defending division champs. Not to mention that Baltimore took both meetings with Cincinnati last season. In many ways, the game is a battle of youth versus experience, as the Andy Dalton and the rest of the young Bengals try to overtake Ray Lewis and the veteran Ravens. It is only the season opener for both, but it could be a good gauge for determining which team has the upper hand in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. Playing at home, the Ravens are six-point favorites.

Although Baltimore swept Cincinnati last year, both games were close. The Ravens took the first meeting by a final of 31-24 and followed it up with a 24-16 win later in the year. The first game in particular was a back-and-forth affair and even came down to a controversial call in the end zone on a potential game-tying touchdown by the Bengals. The bottom line is that these two teams know each other well and don’t like each other all that much either. It is the definition of a rivalry game, and as with most rivalry games, it usually goes down to the wire when Baltimore and Cincinnati get together.

While both sides have two of the better defenses in the NFL, there is little doubt that Baltimore has the stronger of the two units. The Ravens ranked in the top five in terms of points allowed and yards allowed last year and have for the past several seasons. Lewis and fellow veteran Ed Reed are the big names, but there are plenty of other young stars in this group. Even without defending Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs, the Ravens have the edge on the defensive side of the ball.

Baltimore also has the edge when it comes to offensive firepower, mainly because of running back Ray Rice. He is arguably the top all-around back in the league, and he is as deadly on the ground as he is in the passing game. Rice finished second in NFL in rushing last year, topped 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and scored a career-high 15 total touchdowns. He also ran over the Cincinnati defense in the second meeting between the two teams last season. Having Rice will give Baltimore the chance to both control the clock and wear down the Bengals’ defense. It worked to perfection last year and could easily do so again Monday night.

The X-factor in the game could be the potential big plays from both passing attacks. Dalton showed surprising poise as a rookie last year, and his favorite target was fellow rookie A.J. Green. Green is already on the fast track to stardom and is quickly emerging as one of the best deep threats. If Dalton and Green could hook up on a few long passing plays, it could definitely give the Bengals the boost on offense they will need to win. Of course, the Ravens have a deep threat of their own in Torrey Smith. Smith has showcased star potential in his own right, and against a banged up Cincinnati secondary, he could have a few opportunities to make huge plays, as well. While both sides want to control the clock and play tough defense, the big plays in the passing game could end up deciding the game.

In the end, Baltimore and Cincinnati have similar styles of play and similar strengths. The problem the Bengals face is that the Ravens are just better in those areas. Rice gives Baltimore a big edge in the running game, and Lewis and company are still the better defensive bunch. Green will be the best receiver on the field, but with the Bengals’ secondary dealing with injuries, Smith and the Ravens’ passing game poses just as much of a threat. Cincinnati won’t get blown out, but they are still probably a touchdown behind where it needs to be to take down Baltimore.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens (-6) Cover the Spread 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens
Line: Baltimore -7
Total: Over/Under 41
Time: 7PM EST on ESPN

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