One bold prediction for the Ravens in the Wild Card game
The Baltimore Ravens are headed back to Paycor Stadium to take on the AFC North Champions Cincinnati Bengals. After losing 27-16 to the Bengals in Week 18, the Ravens could manage to rebound with a win and ruin the Bengals’ chances of advancing to the divisional round.
Without Lamar Jackson, who said that there is still inflammation on and around his knee, the odds are stacked against Baltimore. John Harbaugh was hopeful that Jackson would be able to return in time for the postseason after he suffered a PCL sprain in Week 13, but it’ll likely be up to Tyler Huntley to lead the offense. Huntley’s status was up in the air after he missed last week, but he practiced on Thursday and Friday.
The good news for Baltimore is that in Cincinnati last week, the Ravens’ defense held the Bengals to only three points in the second half after allowing 24 in the first half. Roquan Smith had a season-high 16 total tackles and he was rewarded for his efforts with a five-year extension that was made official earlier this week. As if Smith wasn’t motivated enough already, he should bring a different level of energy to Baltimore’s defense in Sunday night’s AFC North Wild Card matchup.
Although all of the talk is surrounding the Bengals, don’t sleep on the Ravens’ defense.
The Ravens defense will force three turnovers in Wild Card Game
With Tyler Huntley set to start his first playoff game while still dealing with lingering shoulder and wrist injuries, Baltimore’s defense is going to need to string together its best game of the season.
Cincinnati’s offensive line will be without two starters after Zac Taylor ruled Alex Cappa out due to the ankle injury that he suffered in Week 18. The Bengals are still reeling from losing La’el Collins in Week 16, so that means that Cincinnati will be without both starters on the right side. Joe Burrow dealt with a poor offensive line in the playoffs last season, but Baltimore’s pass rush should give him a run for his money. The goal needs to be to get to Burrow early and often to cause as much disruption as possible.
Against the Ravens in the regular season, Burrow threw a combined two touchdown passes and finished with a 81.7 passer rating. Both games mark the lowest ratings of the season for Burrow with the exception of the Bengals’ Week 1 game against the Steelers. One of Burrow’s 12 regular season interceptions didn’t come in Week 18, but given his knack for tipped ball interceptions, look out for Marcus Williams or Kyle Hamilton to come up with a key turnover off a tipped pass.
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The odds aren’t in Baltimore’s favor, which would make an upset that much sweeter. It’ll be hard to do without Lamar Jackson, but with a physical defense that’s looking to avenge last week’s loss, the Ravens could squeak by with a big win.