AFC Game Of The Week
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Ravens: Five. This is a very significant number and not in a good way either. That is the number of games they have blown this season when having a double-digit lead. There was the game against the Dolphins in week two, the Bills in week four, the Giants in week six, the Jaguars in week 11 and just this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have a ten-point lead and that evaporated quickly. Can you imagine if they didn’t blow any of those leads? We could potentially be discussing them in the running for home-field advantage and that top seed in the AFC Playoffs! When you have a lead in the fourth quarter, you finish. That’s apparently been the issue with them this year. People need to stop doubting the value of Lamar Jackson. The man is an MVP winning Quarterback for a reason, and I’ll back this up with numbers of course. With Lamar on the field, the Baltimore Ravens average 28 points per game. He’s the key that makes this offense go and everything appears to be more free flowing with him on the field. Plus, I feel the league is better when one of the young stars of the league is healthy. Without him, they average 18 points per game, and you see how differently the offense looks without number eight on the field. Lots of pressure has been on the Baltimore secondary to close the door and win games and they’ve done their part; it’s been the inconsistency of the offense that’s been holding them back. On Sunday, they will close their regular season out in Cincinnati.
Bengals: It’s been quite a week for them. They’re featured in the marquee matchup against the Buffalo Bills and started quickly. Then, Damar Hamlin collapses and falls, the game is suspended, and the NFL eventually ends up cancelling the remainder of the game which was the right decision. Prior to all of that, they entered week 17 as one of the hottest teams in the NFL as winners of seven in a row. When you get hot, you know, and you have all the momentum and confidence. It was close to this time last season when they caught fire and won the division. This year, they’re stronger and I say that because they have a year of experience under their belts which they can use to their advantage. Joe Burrow has continued to show why he’s one of the best in the league. Last week, I was asked what stood out to me about Joe and I lit up, then I explained. He just has that “it factor”. It’s either you’re born with it naturally or you don’t, and he can turn the light switch on. This all goes back to his days in college at LSU. It didn’t matter the atmosphere or where his team was, he was never phased by any big moment, and this still stands today. The Bengals did get off to a rocky start to open the season. The Quarterback was getting sacked more and more, injuries piled up and the infamous “is this the Super Bowl hangover” question started to loom. They will resume football on Sunday in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens to wrap up the 2022 regular season.
Ravens X-Factor: JK Dobbins– They are a better offense when he gets his touches. He’s made a nice return after missing all the 2021 season with a knee injury. The breakaway speed isn’t what it was, but I can see that coming back in due time. JK is a hard runner, and this dates back to his college days with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He can burst through lanes and get himself into the second and third tier of the defense. I can’t wait until he gets his full burst back. That will be scary for any defense trying to limit him.
Bengals X-Factor: Hayden Hurst– When they decided to let C.J. Uzomah walk, I was wondering who’d they get to replace him. Hayden fits in nicely with the Cincinnati offense. I like how he can block, then when a lane opens, Burrow can get him the ball on a Tight End screen. With the attention that Chase and Higgins each draw, he can fly under the radar, and I understand why. As of late, Hayden has played a bigger role in the offense, and he can also create matchup problems. This is just another weapon for the Quarterback.
Final Thoughts: When these two first met, it was close and came down to the final minute of the fourth quarter. I also remember the Ravens doing a great job at containing Burrow and keeping him in the pocket, but most importantly, they shut down Ja’Marr Chase after he recorded 266 yards receiving in the 2021 matchup between these two. The key for the Ravens in this game is to get that running game going and control the clock to keep Burrow, Chase and Higgins on the sidelines. If I’m the Bengals, I’m attacking the Baltimore run defense which has struggled without Calais Campbell on the field. The Bengals have one of the more explosive passing attacks in this league and it would be a big help if Marcus Peters were back on the field. The Ravens will also need that front seven to get home and apply pressure to Burrow and hit him behind that line of scrimmage.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Ravens 17
