Sunday’s Bengals-Ravens matchup just got a lot more interesting.
Baltimore will be without Lamar Jackson, who has been ruled out because of the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for the last two games. That shifts the tone of the game immediately, because Cincinnati was already heading into one of its biggest contests of the season with a chance to stay in the AFC North race after its bye week.
Jackson’s absence is no small thing. In four games this season, he has gone 3-1 as a starter and has thrown for 967 yards with six touchdown passes and only one interception. He’s the kind of quarterback who can tilt the whole day, so without him, the Ravens will lean on Tyler Huntley again.
Huntley has been steady enough since taking over. In his two starts, he’s 1-1, beating the Atlanta Falcons and then falling to the Cleveland Browns last week. Just as important for Baltimore, he hasn’t turned the ball over, with zero interceptions in those games.
Even so, Cincinnati has a chance to make life miserable for him up front. The Bengals’ pass rush has been one of the season’s bright spots, and putting pressure on Huntley may be the clearest path to a win. Interior linemen Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen have been among the team’s biggest offseason additions, while Boye Mafe has brought real juice off the edge.
The numbers back up how well that group has played. Cincinnati is tied for the sixth-most sacks in the NFL with 17, and every team ahead of them except the Detroit Lions has played more games.
The Bengals know what’s at stake. A win in Baltimore would put them in a spot where they could control their own destiny, but getting that done on the road was already going to be a tough assignment. Now they’ll get that shot without Jackson across from them, and Baltimore will have to fight without its best soldier.
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The timing matters because the Bengals are already weighing how to distribute snaps in the secondary and in the backfield. Jordan Battles struggles have opened the door for more consideration of Dugger, while Bryan Cook is healthy again, and there is also some thought of giving Samaje Perine a larger offensive role with Chase Browns recent performance in view. [Read more 🡒]
Ja'Marr Chase Could Force A Ravens Decision They Didn't Want
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Marlon Humphrey has made clear he knows how difficult that assignment can be, and the Ravens may need to look elsewhere if they want a different look on Chase. With Joe Burrow stressing how hard it is to win contested throws against Baltimore, the matchup could force the Ravens into a decision they would rather not have to make, one that might send coverage toward Nate Wiggins or Chidobe Awuzie instead. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Burrow Has A Real Opening In Bengals-Ravens Showdown
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Kimes also broke down the Ravens cornerback pair of Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, while pointing to Joe Burrows history of success against Jesse Minters defensive ideas. It all adds up to a setting where Cincinnatis passing game could have some openings, especially if Baltimore does not make the right adjustments early. [Read more 🡒]