The Baltimore Ravens are looking to rebound in Week 7. They’re tied for first in the AFC North, but their division record is looming large. They're 0-1 in those battles after losing to the Cleveland Browns last week and won’t want to drop to 0-2 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Baltimore has a slight uphill climb. They’ll be without Lamar Jackson again, putting the pressure on Tyler Huntley to regain his rhythm. He was on a three-game win streak before the team’s Week 6 loss — there’s a clutch gene in there, but he can’t get stuck in a funk.
Here is everything you need to know for Sunday’s matchup.
Everything you need to know for Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals Week 7
- How to watch Ravens vs. Bengals Week 7
- Ravens vs. Bengals injury updates
- Storylines to watch for Ravens in Week 7
- Prediction
How to watch Ravens vs. Bengals Week 7
Start time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
TV channel: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt, Tracy Wolfson
Streaming: Paramount+, NFL+
Listen: 98 Rock (97.9 FM), WBAL (1090 AM, 101.5 FM)
Ravens vs. Bengals injury updates
Ravens
PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson | ankle | OUT |
Tavius Robinson | pectoral | OUT |
Jaylinn Hawkins | knee | OUT |
T.J. Tampa | knee | DOUBTFUL |
Broderick Washington | ankle | QUESTIONABLE |
Lamar Jackson, Tavius Robinson, and Jaylinn Hawkins — Baltimore is down three starters on Sunday.
Jackson is obviously the biggest name. Tyler Huntley will be trusted with the reins of the offense for hopefully the last week before Jackson returns. The two-time MVP made progress in his ankle rehab this week, so he could return in Week 8.
Robinson is a bigger loss than most NFL fans might realize. He’s out for the season, and the defense will have difficulties replicating his blend of pass rushing and run stopping. They don’t have a player like that right now.
Hawkins, on the other hand? It hurts losing a starter, but it might be worth seeing what the Ravens have in Keondre Jackson. Hopefully he gets a shot.
And while T.J. Tampa and Broderick Washington won’t be big losses if they can’t play, it’d certainly be nice to have the depth in a divisional contest.
Bengals
PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Yeah, that’s a fully healthy Bengals squad. A few of their players have landed on IR this year, like Tanner Hudson and Andrei Ioasivas, but none are notable game-changers. That’ll give them an advantage in this one.
Storylines to watch for Ravens in Week 7
Trey Hendrickson vs. his former team
Revenge games are always fun. And this one between Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals should be pretty sweet. Sure, Hendrickson said he’s forgiven Cincinnati, but going up against your former team lights a fire under players.
Hendrickson has been Baltimore’s best pass rusher this season. He’s only tallied 2 sacks, but his pressures are extremely impactful, and having a premier edge defender has Mike Green moving differently. You could make the case that Nnamdi Madubuike is looking his best, too.
This matchup is about Hendrickson, though. With a little extra motivation, Week 7 could be his first signature game as a Raven. Maybe Trenton Simpson predicted it; a multi-sack outing may be coming.
Can Tyler Huntley get back on the right track?
Tyler Huntley was incredibly underwhelming last week. He was a big reason for the loss. He threw behind open receivers, took sacks, and didn’t make the throws necessary to keep the Cleveland Browns defense honest.
Huntley is bound to see the same looks: stacked boxes and a secondary that doesn't respect his arm talent. If he can’t uncork a decent deep ball, Cincinnati’s safeties will play closer to the line of scrimmage and focus on stopping the short-passing game and rushing attack.
If Baltimore’s going to win, Huntley must play better than he did last Sunday.
Derrick Henry needs to carry
Can we get the Derrick Henry show this time? We needed it last week, but Cleveland’s defense devised a tremendous game plan that made Henry a nonfactor. 17 carries for 58 yards can’t happen again.
Henry does receive a boost. Cam Jurgens slots in at center and Vega Ioane moves back over to right guard. For once, the offensive line actually looks strong on paper. You can expect Henry to look better; however, just how much better?
The run game has been relatively underwhelming all year. Specifically, the play between the tackles needs to be better. If it doesn’t look at least somewhat fearsome against the Bengals, the offense will have trouble finding a rhythm.
Can the Ravens finally slow down Ja’Marr Chase?
Three things are certain in life. Death, taxes, and Ja’Marr Chase going nuclear against the Ravens defense.
In six of his 10 regular-season matchups, Chase has gone for 100+ yards. He’s averaging 7.5 catches, 120.4 yards, and nearly a touchdown per game against Baltimore in his career. Chase was held below 50 yards just twice in those contests.
The defense is in the process of changing, though. Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins remain the top two cornerbacks, but Jesse Minter is a defensive guru. He called a terrific game in Week 6; hopefully he can figure out Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins on Sunday.
Prediction
Ravens 24, Bengals 20
Despite Jackson being injured, I think the Ravens figure it out. Declan Doyle is way too talented an offensive coordinator to put forth another disgusting offensive performance. I can’t see Derrick Henry getting shut down again either.
On the flip side, the Bengals’ defense doesn’t have the talent Cleveland does. Weapons like Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman should find opportunities to get free and make big plays.
And as talented as the Bengals’ offense is, they haven’t reached their best form yet. If Baltimore’s defense can stay hot, they should be able to keep it close.
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