Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens Lines and Predictions

The AFC North is stronger than ever this year, and the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals will square off in an attempt to try to dethrone the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Both teams are trying to catch up with the Steelers, who are a game ahead. The team who loses this game will find themselves digging out of a deep hole.

The worst part is that two of the biggest stars in this game are expected to be out. Ray Lewis of the Ravens, and A.J. Green of the Bengals, will both find themselves watching this game from the sidelines.

Lewis is the voice of the Ravens' defense. He is the leader, and it has been a long time since he has been injured. How the Ravens' defense will play without their emotional leader behind them is not yet known.

For as good as Andy Dalton has looked this year, the main reason for his success has been Green. Green has made a strong candidacy for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

With Green out, Dalton will have to find a different favorite target to bail him out. With everything taken into consideration, Dalton is going to have to face one of the most complex defenses in the league without a safety net.

This game could turn ugly quickly if the Ravens team that showed up a couple of weeks ago against the Steelers comes to play.

Pick: Ravens

ATS: Ravens -7 

O/U: under 40.5

Check out my Top 10 Picks Against the Spread (I was 8-2 last week)