Ravens vs. Bengals: NFL experts make Week 2 picks

How the Ravens’ backup RBs perform in place of J.K. Dobbins on Sunday could determine whether John Harbaugh continues to look in-house for support or seeks help elsewhere. The bigger story here, though, is the expected return of Pro Bowl TE Mark Andrews, who, along with rookie standout Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, comprise a pass-catching unit capable of mitigating any trouble the Ravens have on the ground. Joe Burrow’s Bengals are way too good to lay another dud, especially at home, but I think their slow start extends into Week 2 before they truly kick things into gear. Sound familiar?

Brian Wacker, reporter
Bengals 27, Ravens 17: The Bengals come into this one annoyed from getting embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 and do so healthy, unlike the Ravens, who could be without as many as six starters. The Ravens have been tough on quarterback Joe Burrow in the past, but they’ve still lost each of their past three games at Paycor Stadium (albeit without Lamar Jackson available for any of them). Still, there’s just too much to overcome for a Ravens team that is banged up on the offensive line, without its top running back and is without cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Marcus Williams against what is still one of the AFC’s top offenses.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bengals are coming off a horrible showing in their opener, one in which Joe Burrow looked bad. That will change here. The Bengals will get the offense going here. The Ravens have some injury issues on the offensive line, which could be a problem. The division games are always tough, but I don’t see Cincinnati going 0-2 to start this season like it did in 2022.

Pick: Bengals 27, Ravens 20