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Baltimore Ravens

Staff predictions for the Ravens-Bengals game

By The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun
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Eifert got off to a slow start this season because of injuries, but now he is playing well. He has 1

Eifert got off to a slow start this season because of injuries, but now he is playing well. He has 16 catches for 244 yards and one touchdown. He'll probably play a bigger role in the Bengals’ passing game with star receiver A.J. Green out with an injury. Last week, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten had a good game against the Ravens and Eifert could be just as effective. Weddle is second on the team in tackles with 51 and Webb is fifth at 33. Both are slow as far as coverages on the back end. Edge: Even

The Bengals have won five consecutive games against the Ravens, but this year's team is 3-6-1 and hobbling. The Ravens (5-5) must win home games like these to strengthen their playoff hopes.

Here's how the staff see's Sunday's game playing out.

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Mark Selig (8-2 picking Ravens games)

Ravens 20, Bengals 13
It never clicked with the Bengals this year, on offense or defense. And now they're missing their top two playmakers. At home, the Ravens should be able to feast on them. This is the easiest of the six remaining games on the Ravens' schedule, so they could use a convincing win to generate further confidence.

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Edward Lee (7-3)

Ravens 17, Bengals 12
The Ravens have much to be thankful about this week, especially the absence of Cincinnati wide receiver A.J. Green (strained right hamstring). The Bengals are a shell of their former selves who reached the playoffs in the last five years, and the Ravens will use a defensive touchdown to snap a five-game losing skid to their AFC North rivals.

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Childs Walker (7-3)

Ravens 23, Bengals 14
The Bengals were already reeling and now they're further debilitated by injuries to A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard. Though Cincinnati has owned this rivalry lately, expect the Ravens defense to give Andy Dalton and Co. an unpleasant holiday weekend.

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Jeff Zrebiec (6-4)

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Ravens 20, Bengals 17
The Bengals have dominated the Ravens in recent years, but many of the reasons for that -- Giovani Bernard, A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Reggie Nelson and Hue Jackson -- are either injured or playing/coaching elsewhere. This is a must-win game for the Ravens, who will rebuke a stern challenge because of Steve Smith Sr.'s hands and Justin Tucker's leg.

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Jen Badie (5-5)

Ravens 21, Bengals 13
The Bengals' offense is ranked 10th in yards per game (372.7) but they are tied with the Ravens for 25th in points per game (19.9). Since they'll be without A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard, who account for just shy of half of their total yards, this should be the Ravens' first win over the Bengals since 2013.

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Mike Preston (5-5)

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Ravens 17, Bengals 14
The Bengals still have a physical front seven and they will play with a strong effort, but the lack of offensive firepower will cost them in this game. Injuries have forced their offense to stagnate.
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Peter Schmuck (5-5)

Ravens 23, Bengals 20
The Ravens aren't nearly as desperate as the Bengals, but they still have to win this one and they know it. Joe Flacco is finding his rhythm and will deliver his end of a more balanced offensive attack than we've seen lately.

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