Why Cincinnati Bengals Will Win the AFC Wild Card
It’s not like Cincinnati went full bore, either.
The main men played, but it was the first game back after the nightmare against Buffalo. Baltimore wasn’t playing everyone, and Cincinnati didn’t exactly look or play like its normal self.
Joe Burrow was okay, and the offense didn’t have much of a problem scoring or putting it away, but the timing wasn’t there. He wasn’t hooking up with his receivers like he normally does – he hit just 59% of his passes; the third-worst day of the year – but the rust should be off now.
Expect the sharpness to return like it was before the Monday Night cancelation. The team got it done last week with just 257 yards of total offense thanks to the four takeaways.
All Burrow has to be is his normal self. The run defense has to take care of the rest.
Lost in all the pyrotechnics of the offense is a run defense that’s been among the best in the NFL for most of the season. Hold up against the Baltimore ground game, win. Get rolled on, there’s a problem.
The Bengals are 10-2 when allowing fewer than 110 rushing yards. Baltimore is going to get over 110 rushing yards – that’s what it does – but as long as it’s not controlling the game and the clock on the ground, the Bengals should be fine.
Cincinnati might not be a grinding team, but it’s brilliant on third downs. That, and the passing game can crank up and hit home runs. Baltimore’s offense can’t. Get up fast, and Huntley and the Raven offense will be in trouble.
– Ravens vs Bengals Prediction, What’s Going to Happen