The closest matchup in the NFL for the first week of regular season action from a betting standpoint is the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. This is a very narrow match that will be appealing for all to watch this coming week. The game will be held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The Bengals had a 2-2 record during the preseason and beat the Indianapolis Colts 35-7 in their last match. The Bengals were listed at -2.5 and went over the 41 point total. The team also split its home and road games.
The Ravens won all four of their preseason matches this year with the most recent one being on August 28 when they beat New Orleans 22-13. The Ravens were under the point total in three of their games.
The last meeting between the two came on December 29 when the Bengals had a 34-17 victory late in the season. The Bengals were -6.5 favorites and were also able to go over the point total of 43 in that match. The two sides have split all of their last ten matches and have gone over the point total on four of those occasions.
The Ravens did well against the spread at home in 2013. The team went 5-3 ATS at home but went 2-5-1 ATS while on the road. The Ravens were 22-23-3 ATS in the three seasons prior to the last one.
Meanwhile, the Bengals were a perfect 8-0 ATS in 2013 while going 2-5-1 ATS on the road. The Bengals also had a strong record in the past three years before last season by going 24-21-3 ATS.
The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four match-ups between these two teams. The Bengals have gotten the over on their four last Week 1 games while the Ravens were 5-1 ATS in their last six opening games.
The Ravens are closely favored at -1.5 with a moneyline total of -140, while the Bengals are listed by our sportsbook at even money for their efforts. The point total for the game has been set at 42.5.