NFL Week 1 Free Premium Play 09/10: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati  at Baltimore

Play: Single Dime Play on Cincinnati +7

Comments: NFL Week 1 - 479 Cincinnati Bengals @ 480 Baltimore Ravens Projected line: Baltimore by 4 points After losing last season's two games against Baltimore by 7 and 8 points, I believe Cincinnati has all the necessary conditions to make this game a much tighter affair this time. First of all, QB Andy Dalton and his main target WR AJ Green aren't rookies anymore and with one full year of experience in the league, they should keep improving and make the Bengals offense better this season. Cincinnati has a great OL in terms of pass protection and Dalton should have enough time tonight to feed his number one receiver. The Bengals struggled offensively against the Ravens last season, however I believe Baltimore won't be able to perform as well on defense this season, at least until LB Terrell Suggs keeps being out due to injury. Suggs was amazing last season with 14 sacks, 2 interceptions and a lot more quarterback hurries. Without him, Baltimore loses a lot of their pass rush and against a very good Offensive Line like Cincinnati's, I don't believe they will put a lot of pressure on Dalton tonight. The Ravens' DL also lost Cory Redding to the Colts in the offseason plus both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed aren't young anymore, so I wouldn't be surprised if Baltimore struggles a bit defensively (in comparison to their level over the last few seasons), especially until Suggs comes back at 100%. Cincinnati was also quite good on defense last season by being 8th on rushing yards allowed per carry and 9th on passing yards allowed per pass attempt. Their pass rush was also very good with 45 sacks (5th in the league), so I expect them to put pressure on QB Joe Flacco, whose lack of mobility keeps being his main weakness. Of course the Ravens offense is built around RB Ray Rice and it's possible that he will have some big plays tonight, however the Bengals have a good all-around defense and they should limit Rice's performance today. With Flacco being pressured by Cincinnati's good pass rush and Rice facing a good run defense, I believe Cincinnati has the conditions to have a good defensive performance today. It's also important to note that Baltimore has a very weak special teams unit, especially on the coverage. Cincinnati may not have a great overall special teams unit, but they're very good in terms of coverage and that should allow the Bengals to start their drives closer to the goal line than the Ravens, something that may end up being decisive on this close game. I believe the Bengals have enough quality in terms of offense, defense and special teams to make this game very competitive and therefore, I'll be taking them in here plus the points. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 479 Cincinnati Bengals (+7) @ -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker