Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals have surprised some people this year in getting off to a fast start. Through the first quarter of the season, head coach Marvin Lewis and his bunch are 3-1 and looking good.

Wins at Green Bay and at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers have the Bengals feeling good about the 2009 season and last week's over-time win in Cleveland have Cincinnati rolling into week 5. Sunday they head to Baltimore to take on the 3-1 Ravens with first place in the AFC North on the line.

NFL odds makers may not be too impressed by Cincinnati's recent success as Baltimore is a heavy home favorite. The Vegas line is sitting at, the Ravens -9, with the total in the game set at 42.5.

The Bengals' shocking resurgence has been centered around a healthy quarterback. Carson Palmer missed 12 games last season with an elbow injury. He may not have the best numbers in 2009 with
a 75.2 passer rating, but his late-game heroics have been vital over the last two weeks.

The Ravens are also very happy with their man under center. Second-year starter Joe Flacco has completed 95 of 151 passes for 1,103 yards with eight touchdowns to just three interceptions. That's big improvement from his first four games as a rookie, when he was 62 for 106 for 603 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

Over the years may have thought that if the Ravens could only get more production out of their offense, they could be a very scary team to contend with. With Flacco and the offense clicking, Ray Lewis and the swarming Baltimore defense can finally have some of the pressure lifted off of their shoulders.

I think the Ravens should win this game, but the nine points they are giving concerns me a little, if the Cincy offense can continue to be productive they will keep it close.

Take the Bengals getting the 9 points.