Two of the highest-paid players in NFL history will do battle on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium when Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals face Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL picks and predictions 2014: Bengals vs. Ravens
Two AFC North powers begin the season pitted against one another in a key opening game.
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Dalton received a massive contract extension, bringing his total contract to six years and $115 million. In his first three NFL seasons, the 2011 second-round pick has put the Bengals in the postseason each year. However, Cincinnati has been unable to win a playoff game, losing twice to the Houston Texans and once against the San Diego Chargers. Dalton threw for 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2013, albeit with 20 interceptions.
Flacco bet on himself throughout the 2012 season, turning down contract-extension offers. The University of Delaware product proceeded to win the Super Bowl and earned the richest contract in NFL history at the time, pulling down six years and $120.6 million. Flacco was disappointing in the first year of that deal, throwing 19 touchdowns against 22 interceptions. The poor play led to an 8-8 record and the first time Flacco has missed the playoffs in his six-year career.
The game is a pick ‘em, according to Oddsshark. Over at CBS Sports, the experts are favoring the Bengals, though it’s not unanimous. Five of the eight experts are picking the Bengals, with notables Jason La Canfora and Will Brinson picking the Ravens. It’s a similar spread at ESPN, where nine of the 13 experts are going with the Bengals to win. Both of Yahoo Sports’ experts picked the Bengals, as well.
When it comes to SB Nation’s own picks, things didn’t quite line up. Ryan Van Bibber, Stephen White, Joel Thorman, David Fucillo and Danny Kelly all picked the Ravens to win it, with Matt Ufford the lone dissenter picking Cincinnati. Also: PFT Commenter picked Baltimore as well ... for whatever that is worth.
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