Cincinnati Bengals are home underdogs in Week 5 against Baltimore Ravens

The bloom is clearly off the Bengals' rose from a sports betting perspective.

When betting lines for every game of the regular season were released in May, the Bengals were favored in 14 of 17 games. After a 1-3 start that included two outright losses as heavy favorites, the Bengals have dropped mightily in the futures market and are now home underdogs for this Sunday's divisional clash with the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium.

According to BetMGM Sportsbook , the Bengals are 2.5-point underdogs to the Ravens Sunday. The total (over/under) has dropped to 49 points, which is still tied for the second highest in Week 5. In the spring, Cincinnati was a 1.5-point favorite for this matchup.

The Bengals are looking to avoid a 1-4 start to the season and a division defeat. While the betting market has hampered their expectations in the Bengals, sports bettors have had success with the team in this spot.

Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2-1 against the spread as home underdogs under Joe Burrow

The Bengals have been favored in the majority of their games in The Jungle after a Super Bowl appearance and another run to the AFC Championship game. In fact, Cincinnati has not been a home underdog against an opponent other than the Kansas City Chiefs since Dec. 2021.

Going back to Burrow's rookie season in 2020 when the franchise was in rebuilding mode, the Bengals have been great as home underdogs going 5-2-1 against the spread (ATS) and 4-4 straight up. This spot has also led to some thrillers with seven of those eight games decided by three points and three going to overtime.

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Lamar Jackson has lost just once against Cincinnati Bengals in his career

For the Bengals to avoid 1-4, they'll have to overcome a quarterback they've struggled with over the last six seasons.

Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson is 8-1 all-time against the Bengals after sweeping the regular season series in 2023. From a betting perspective, it's been a mixed back for Jackson, going 5-4 ATS in those nine starts and 3-2 ATS against Burrow, who was injured in last year's Ravens' victory at M&T Bank Stadium with the Bengals leading in the second quarter.

Jackson has only played in Cincinnati three times during his career, but those matchups have offered plenty for his highlight reel . Jackson is 3-0 overall and ATS in Cincinnati with the Ravens averaging 38 points per game. In Week 2 of last season, the Ravens were 3.5-point underdogs before pulling out a 27-24 win at Paycor Stadium.

Pittsburgh Steelers jump Cincinnati Bengals in AFC North odds

After four weeks, the Ravens have recovered from an 0-2 start and are the clear-cut favorites to repeat as AFC North champions. The Ravens and Bengals were co-favorites in the preseason to win the division. At 3-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now the second favorite to win the division, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals are home underdogs in Week 5 against Baltimore Ravens