Why The Baltimore Ravens Will Win The AFC Wild Card
Baltimore has taken its ground attack up to a whole other level.
Lamar Jackson has returned to his dominant, MVP 2019 form as part of the NFL’s best ground game. The Ravens ran well over the first half of the season, but this is something different with 200 yards or more on the ground in four of the last five games – all wins – and with 404 against Cincinnati in Week 17.
The Tennessee defense hasn’t been awful against the run, and it wasn’t bad against Baltimore the first time around, but Green Bay was able to pound away in the snow for 234 yards a few weeks ago, and that’s exactly what Jackson and company are about to do.
Baltimore would be more than happy to make this a grinding game that comes down to who has the more effective rushing attack, even with Derrick Henry on the other side.
The right mix is there to win this time around. The defensive front is good enough to hold up against 22 – at least not get gouged too badly – and again, Jackson has been special again.
He was great over the first half of the season, but the passing game has cranking up with 17 touchdown throws over the last seven games to go along with his ability to keep the chains moving. He’s looking and playing like he’s in control, and the league’s worst defense on third downs is going to have a big, big problem getting him off the field.