Ala Hann Sport picks

As far as NFL Week 5 matchups go, the clash between Cincinnati and Baltimore should be one of the most exciting of the week. The Bengals have started out of the gate strong, while the Ravens are looking to bounce back from a controversial loss.

Bengals vs Ravens odds – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 PM ET

Carson Palmer led the Bengals from an 11-point deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 23-20 win over Pittsburgh, and people may start taking the Bengals seriously. Palmer was 20-of-37 for 183 yards and a touchdown, and the Bengals averaged 5.2 yards on the ground. There’s a new outlook in Cincinnati this year, and it all starts with a healthy Palmer, who is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league when he’s 100%, which he hasn’t been for the past couple of seasons.

After a couple of questionable calls, the Ravens fell 27-21 in New England in a game they really deserved to win. Joe Flacco was 27-of-47 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, while Ray Rice ran for 103 yards on only 11 carries. Baltimore’s ground game was on form, averaging almost seven yards per carry, and they held the Patriots to only 85 yards on 30 carries. However, as Buffalo can attest to, strange things happen at Foxboro, regardless of the sportsbook odds.

The Ravens are an 8.5-point favorite at home in your gambling software after sweeping the Bengals last year, but Cincinnati has still won six of their last 10 against Baltimore. This will be a good test for the improved Cincinnati defense, while Palmer will have his hands full with a Baltimore defense that hasn’t lost a step since Rex Ryan left to coach the New York Jets. However, Baltimore safety Ed Reed is off to a slow start, making some uncharacteristic mistakes, and that could open up the deep threat for the Bengals. This should be a typically hard-hitting AFC North clash, and whoever controls the clock will come away with the win. Cincy won’t back down and they’ll cover, but go with the Ravens straight up in your NFL picks.