AFC North Divisional Matchup Baltimore At Cincinnati

With no hopes of reaching the playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens will square off on Sunday in a meaningless Week 17 AFC North divisional matchup. Still, there’s plenty of value in this matchup – if you know where to look. Now, let’s find out where that value lies!

Week 17 NFL AFC North Divisional Matchup: Ravens (8-7) At Bengals (5-9-1)

NFL Football: Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET Where: Paul Brown Stadium TV: CBS Live Stream: CBS Sports Network NFL Odds: Cincinnati Bengals -2.5 / Over/Under: 41.5    

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have lost two straight games and three of their last five including their uninspiring 12-10 loss to playoff-bound Houston last weekend. Cincinnati is averaging a modest 19.9 points per game to rank 23rd in scoring as veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has completed 64.7 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Defensively, the Cincinnati Bengals are allowing 20.3 points per game to rank 11th in points allowed while getting a team-high 103 tackles from veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have lost two of their last three games and come into their finale off a heartbreaking 31-27 loss to Pittsburgh that gave the division title to the Steelers and knocked Baltimore out of playoff contention. Baltimore is averaging 22.2 points per game to rank 19th in scoring as veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has completed 64.8 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Defensively, Baltimore has limited the opposition to just 19.6 points per game to rank a stellar seventh in points allowed.

Expert Prediction and Pick

65 percent of public bettors like Baltimore to win and cover the NFL betting line, but I think the Cincinnati Bengals are the pick to get the narrow win and accompanying ATS cover. Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in their last six games against Baltimore and a bankroll-boosting 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games against the Ravens. With Baltimore going 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, I say the value in this divisional showdown lies with Cincinnati.

Pick: Cincinnati 21 Baltimore 20