Ravens vs. Bengals NFL Week 5 Picks: Explosive Offenses Make the Over a Smart Bet

The Derrick Henry Show

Derrick Henry exploded for the longest run in Ravens’ history since the team’s move to Baltimore 29 years ago, leading to a monster 199-yard performance on 24 carries. Lamar Jackson added two passing touchdowns and ran for another, as the Ravens handed the Bills their first loss of the season in a decisive 35-10 Sunday night victory.

“The Bills are a great team,” Henry said. “They’ve been hitting on all cylinders. We played a great game against them tonight. We were the better team tonight, but I’m sure they’ll fix things the next coming up weeks. We’re just focused on being 1-0 this week.”

Henry set the tone early, taking his first carry 87 yards to the end zone, sparking a lead that Baltimore never looked back from. Jackson, the reigning two-time MVP, was surgical, completing 13 of 18 passes for 156 yards, with scoring strikes to Henry and Justice Hill, while also rushing for 54 yards on six carries. Buffalo had no answer for Baltimore’s balanced attack.

Henry’s five-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter marked only the fourth touchdown catch of his career and his first since 2019.

The Ravens dominated the Bills on both sides of the ball, outgaining them 427 to 236 in total yards, keeping the pressure on until the final whistle. Despite the victory, Baltimore’s players stayed focused, noting it’s a long season ahead.

Bengals Win First Game of the Season

Elsewhere, Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while Chase Brown chipped in 80 rushing yards and two scores, as the Cincinnati Bengals held off the Carolina Panthers, 34-24, to notch their first win of the season.

“We knew we had to come and get one,” Burrow said. “There was really no other option than to figure out how to win this game. And we got it done.”

Ja’Marr Chase delivered a highlight-reel 63-yard touchdown, showcasing his complete skill set. Lining up on the right side, Chase crossed the field to snag Burrow’s pass, then broke a tackle, shed a hit, juked another defender, and outran the defense to pay dirt. He finished with three catches for 85 yards.

Zack Moss contributed 78 total yards and a touchdown catch, while Tee Higgins added six receptions for 60 yards and drew two key pass interference penalties near the goal line, setting up crucial scoring opportunities for the Bengals.

Burrow was in command throughout, showing poise and pocket awareness, with his only blemish coming on a miscommunication with Chase that resulted in an interception. His best moment came in the second half when he evaded three defenders with a 360-degree spin in the pocket to hit Moss for a 21-yard gain on a critical third-and-five.

The Bengals also found life in their ground game, churning out 130 rushing yards in the second half after being limited to just 11 yards before halftime, sealing the game and showcasing a balanced offensive resurgence.

The Pick

Look for a high-scoring game between these two teams. The Ravens and Bengals have shown they can light up the scoreboard and expose defenses. The Ravens put up 35 points against the Bills, showcasing a balanced attack.

This versatility makes them difficult to defend, especially for a Bengals defense that struggled to contain the Panthers, allowing 24 points despite facing a relatively conservative offense.

On the flip side, the Bengals’ offense came alive in their recent win, dropping 34 points with Burrow looking sharp. The Bengals also found success on the ground in the second half, rushing for 130 yards, which makes them even more dangerous against a Ravens defense that could be stretched thin trying to account for multiple weapons.

Both teams have the ability to strike quickly and are coming off high-yardage, high-scoring performances, which suggests that Sunday’s matchup will be less about defensive stops and more about who can keep up offensively. Expect the Ravens and Bengals to trade blows in a game where big plays and touchdowns are the norm.

NFL Pick: Over 50.5 (-110) at Bookmaker

Over 50.5 (-110)

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