Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Playoffs Wildcard Preview Game

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Playoffs wild card prediction, game preview, odds and how to watch Sunday, January 15

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals NFL Playoffs Wildcard Prediction Game

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals What To Watch

Date: Sunday, January 15,
Game Time: 8:15 ET
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
How to Watch: NBC
Record: Baltimore Ravens (10-7), Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
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Baltimore Ravens Win AFC Wild Card

Can the Ravens make it look good enough to be this late?

They’ve been sputtering along without Lamar Jackson, the points aren’t there, and they’re struggling to find anything that consistently works well enough pull off tough wins. The defense is doing what it can, but it’s been too much of a grind offensively.

That’s the deal, though. The Ravens can’t keep up if this is any sort of a shootout, so it has to own third downs on both sides of the ball, find a push with the running game, and getting to Joe Burrow and generating consistent pressure all game long is a must.

While parts of this were a problem last week in the 27-16 loss to close the regular season, the ground game was good enough to keep the regular season interesting. The run defense continued to be great, the pass defense held up okay, and the turnovers …

That was the problem. It can be fixed.

The Ravens didn’t control the clock, but Kenyan Drake ran okay and Anthony Brown threw for 286 yards. Now, the starters have returned.

There’s no Lamar, but JK Dobbins, Mark Andrews, and a slew of players who sat last week are returning. Tyler Huntley will be under center.

Brown did everything he could but the four turnovers proved to be a problem. Huntley isn’t air-tight, but he spread out his three interceptions over his five appearances and should be better at keeping things moving – he’ll add about 30 rushing yards to the mix.

However …

Why Cincinnati Bengals Will Win
Ravens vs Bengals Prediction, What’s Going to Happen

Next: Why Cincinnati Bengals will win the AFC Wild Card

Cincinnati Bengals will win the AFC Wild Card

It’s not like Cincinnati went full bore, either.

Although the main men were there, it was not the first game back since the horror 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 to see the same sharpness as before Monday Night cancellation. With just 257 yards of total offense, thanks to the four takeaways last week, the team was able to pull it off.

Burrow needs to be his normal self. The rest will be taken care of by the run defense.

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. You can win against the Baltimore ground game. Get rolled on, there’s a problem.

The Bengals are a perfect 10-2 team when they allow less 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. The passing game is able to crank up and hit home runs. Baltimore’s offense can’t. Huntley and Huntley must get up quickly or the Raven offense could be in serious trouble.

Ravens vs Bengals Prediction, What’s Going to Happen

NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, Who’s Going to Win Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals AFC Wild Card

What’s Going To Happen, Who’s Going to Win Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals AFC Wild Card

Baltimore won’t go away quietly.

Last week’s game was weird. Baltimore didn’t have its top guys or its A game, and it looked like it in the first half. Cincinnati didn’t play well, but it was up 24-7 and cruised from there.

The Bengals are now ready to unleash their offense.

Baltimore might be a bit more rested in key spots, and it’ll be far more careful with the ball than it was last week, but it won’t be enough. Just when it seems like the upset is coming, and just when it seems like the defense is getting to Joe Burrow enough to matter, boom – that’s when the big strike will come.

Baltimore keeps moving the rock up the mountain, only for it to come back down with one Burrow completion.

Although the game will be much harder than it appears, the Bengals will win. It’s going to win. Baltimore’s won’t.

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals AFC wild card prediction, line

CFN Prediction: Cincinnati 23, Baltimore 16
Line: Cincinnati -8.5, o/u: 40.5
ATS Confidence: 5 out of 5. 3
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals MUST SEE Rating: 3.5

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Story originally appeared on College Football News

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