The Ravens squandered one other lead within the final two minutes towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cincinnati Bengals have handed them within the AFC North and are concentrating on a repeat journey to the Super Bowl. Which group could have the benefit Sunday?
Ravens passing recreation vs. Bengals go protection
The Ravens have scored simply 59 factors in 5 video games with Tyler Huntley as their major quarterback and rank twenty fifth in Football Outsiders’ go DVOA over that span. Huntley performed nicely by the primary three quarters of the Ravens’ Week 17 loss to the Steelers, rediscovering his reference to tight finish Mark Andrews, who caught 9 passes on 9 targets for his first 100-yard recreation since Week 6. But the Ravens stalled within the fourth quarter, choosing up only one first down and failing to attain even after operating again Justice Hill set them up with a 56-yard kickoff return. Huntley has accomplished 67% of his throws however has averaged simply 5.9 yards per try with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He largely ignored his vast receivers towards Pittsburgh, discovering them for 2 completions on 5 targets for 18 yards. Huntley’s availability for Week 18 was in query after he was restricted in observe Wednesday and Thursday due to wrist and proper shoulder accidents. If he can’t go, rookie Anthony Brown would begin.
Though the Ravens beat the Bengals in Week 5, Lamar Jackson threw for simply 174 yards with an interception. Cincinnati’s go protection is weak with out high cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who’s out for the season. Eli Apple and rookie Cam Taylor-Britt aren’t on his degree. The Bengals is also with out defensive finish Sam Hubbard, who was inactive Monday evening due to a calf damage. He has given the Ravens issues in previous conferences. The Bengals have received seven video games in a row, however even throughout that streak, they’ve ranked simply sixteenth in go DVOA. They blitz on simply 19.3% of drop-backs and rank twenty ninth in sacks. That stated, Trey Hendrickson (six sacks, 22 quarterback hits) continues to be a harmful edge rusher, whereas Jessie Bates III (three interceptions, seven passes defended) and Vonn Bell (4 interceptions, seven passes defended) kind among the finest security duos within the league.
EDGE: Bengals
Bengals passing recreation vs. Ravens go protection
After a comparatively sluggish begin, quarterback Joe Burrow (4,260 yards, 34 touchdowns) has hit his stride once more. The Bengals have ranked sixth in go DVOA throughout their seven-game profitable streak. For the season, they’re fourth in third-down conversion charge and fifth in landing share from the purple zone. They’re the anti-Ravens, with a humiliation of pass-catching riches led by vast receivers Ja’Marr Chase (960 yards, eight touchdowns in 11 video games) and Tee Higgins (14 yards per catch, seven touchdowns). The Ravens did an excellent job holding the Bengals in entrance of them in Week 5, limiting Chase to seven catches on 12 targets for 50 yards. Higgins missed a lot of that recreation due to an ankle damage. Former Ravens tight finish Hayden Hurst truly did probably the most harm, with six catches on seven targets and a landing.
The Ravens despatched little stress towards Burrow, who punished their blitzes in a pair of embarrassing losses final season. But it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald switches up his ways this time to reap the benefits of Cincinnati’s weak offensive line, enjoying with out beginning proper deal with La’el Collins. Macdonald will hope to have cornerback Marcus Peters, who missed the final two video games with a calf damage. If Peters can’t go, fill-in Brandon Stephens will face one of many sternest checks of his profession from Chase, Higgins and Tyler Boyd. The Ravens have struggled to get off the sector in end-of-half and end-of-game eventualities, and this weak point bit them towards Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett, who led an 80-yard, game-winning drive final Sunday.
EDGE: Bengals
Ravens operating recreation vs. Bengals run protection
Running again J.Ok. Dobbins posted one other robust recreation towards Pittsburgh with 93 yards on 17 carries and one of the spectacular 2-yard beneficial properties you’ll ever see. Overall, the Steelers outrushed the Ravens 198-120, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated he was sad Dobbins’ associate, Gus Edwards, carried the ball simply 3 times. Edwards had been the group’s most efficient runner with 99 yards on 11 carries the earlier week towards the Atlanta Falcons. Huntley (3.2 yards per carry) is a risk to scramble however considerably much less harmful than Jackson on designed runs.
The Bengals allowed 155 dashing yards towards the Ravens in Week 5, however they’ll be bolstered by the presence of their high inside defender, D.J. Reader, who was injured for the primary assembly. He’s among the finest defensive linemen in soccer. Linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt have additionally performed nicely, combining for 210 tackles. The Bengals have held 4 of their final 5 opponents beneath 100 yards.
EDGE: Ravens
Bengals operating recreation vs. Ravens run protection
The Ravens are licking their wounds after the Steelers blew them off the ball and ran previous them on the perimeters. The Baltimore run protection had been tops within the league because the arrival of Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith, however Smith and his associate, Patrick Queen, did little to stuff Pittsburgh’s energy run recreation.
The Ravens might want to do higher towards a Bengals assault that has ranked third in rush DVOA during the last seven video games. Running again Joe Mixon (787 yards, six touchdowns) is all the time the main focus, however Samaje Perine is a strong complement, and Burrow (5 touchdowns) can’t be ignored on scrambles or on the purpose line. Mixon gained 78 yards on 14 carries in Week 5, although the Ravens have historically performed nicely towards him. The return of Calais Campbell, who examined his injured knee earlier than the Steelers recreation however didn’t play, would bolster Macdonald’s protection.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens particular groups vs. Bengals particular groups
After a uncommon stretch of particular groups difficulties, the Ravens rebounded towards the Steelers with Hill’s 56-yard return, good situational punting from rookie Jordan Stout and an ideal evening from Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker. They’re again as much as No. 2 in particular groups DVOA.
The Bengals rank twenty first in DVOA because of an uneven season from gifted kicker Evan McPherson, who has missed 5 subject purpose makes an attempt and 4 extra-point tries. McPherson is ideal from 50 yards or past, so he stays a weapon late in halves and video games. The Bengals changed longtime punter Kevin Huber with Drue Chrisman after 9 video games. Trent Taylor is a strong punt returner.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Bengals intangibles
The Bengals are the most popular group within the league and handed the Ravens within the race for an AFC North title. They’re additionally coming off a traumatic expertise, having watched in solidarity with the Buffalo Bills as security Damar Hamlin fought for his life Monday evening. It could be silly to aim a guess at how this may or may not have an effect on them.
The Ravens, in the meantime, confronted all their acquainted demons in shedding to the Steelers, enjoying their worst offense and protection within the fourth quarter. They managed to clinch a playoff spot with out Jackson however know they’re not scoring sufficient or defending nicely sufficient in clutch spots to beat the league’s high groups. Harbaugh stated they’ll most likely play their starters towards the Bengals as they hope to vault the Los Angeles Chargers for the AFC’s No. 5 seed.
EDGE: Bengals
Prediction
The Bengals are rolling into one other postseason whereas the Ravens have struggled to search out any offensive spark with out Lamar Jackson at quarterback. We don’t know if each groups will play their starters all through, however we do know the Bengals have been superior within the second half of the season. Bengals 27, Ravens 17
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Source: www.bostonherald.com