3) TNT
So far this season there has been a lack of explosive plays for the Ravens.
According to NFL.com, the Ravens have combined for 18 plays of 20+ yards so far this season. If that feels low, that’s because four teams have 18+ passing plays of 20+ yards alone. They have just three plays of over 40+ yards as well including just one pass play over 40+, a 47-yarder to Marquise Brown in Week One against the Browns. In fact, since week one, the Ravens have only 13 20+ yard plays in the last three weeks.
There are encouraging signs in this department, however. Consider the following:
Sheesh pic.twitter.com/S9q2JiibFM
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 7, 2020
Yikes. The thing about Hollywood Brown is that he is nearly impossible to cover in man to man as evidenced by this baptism he has been performing of defensive backs. However, he and Lamar Jackson have to get on the same page in order to make these defensive backs pay for not being able to keep up with the Ravens second-year speedster. But the signs of a breakout appear to be there.
Last week against the Jaguars the Bengals surrendered seven 20+ yard plays. Look for the Ravens to record four-plus such plays on Sunday as they start to go get a little bit of explosiveness back in their offense.
The Details: Cincinnati Bengals (1-2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
Point Spread: Ravens -13.5
Over/Under: 51.5
Radio: 98 Rock/WBAL 1090 AM
TV: CBS/WBAL-TV Baltimore
Commentary: Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Rich Gannon (analyst), Amanda Balionis (reporter)
Prediction: This one might prove to be a bit trickier than it looks, but I am confident the Ravens have what it takes to get it done in this one. I have teetered on a final score all week and have thought the Ravens cover the spread but I am going to call an audible. The Ravens move to 4-1 on the season with a 33-25 win over the upstart Bengals.