Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas – Wildcard Edition
The Baltimore Ravens visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night with the third and final game of Sunday's NFL playoff slate for Wildcard Weekend. The Ravens come into this game at 10-7 and losers of three of their last five games. They will be without quarterback and former league MVP Lamar Jackson, who remains out with a knee injury. The Bengals come into this game with a record of 12-4 and have won eight straight games, including a defeat of the Ravens in their final game of the season. The two AFC North combatants have split their season series this year with each team winning its home game. The opening kickoff is slated for 8:15 pm EST.
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For the Ravens, it has been next man up for some time now in the 2022 NFL season. The Ravens earned their wildcard spot this season despite the absence of Jackson, arguably the NFL's most important quarterback to his team given that the Ravens offense has been built around both his passing and running skills. Jackson missed the final five games of the regular season and it was reflected in the team's 2-3 record in that time and reduced offensive numbers across the board. Making things even more challenging for the Ravens is the tenuous availability of backup Tyler Huntley. Huntley went 2-2 as the starter in Jackson's absence but was forced to sit out the finale in Cincinnati due to a shoulder injury. He has been limited in practice this week but was throwing passes by Thursday in the hopes of being ready for Sunday night. While not nearly having the talent level of Jackson, Huntley best simulates Jackson's ability to both ru n and pass. Speaking of running, the Ravens should have their full compliment of running backs ready for this game. The team sat out JK Dobbins in the final game as a precaution, but he should be ready to go Sunday night. The Ravens can utilize Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Kenyan Drake out of the backfield both as runners and receivers. The Bengals have had some difficulty in covering the tight end this season and the Ravens have one of the best in the NFL in Mark Andrews. Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely could also be featured prominently in the passing attack after having a career high in receiving yards against the Bengals last week.
“Obviously, Lamar is Lamar,” linebacker Patrick Queen said. “You can't replace that kind of guy, but I do still think that we have quarterbacks who can go out there and get the job done and play at a high level.”
“That was a good thing that I did rest. Feeling even better.” @_SNOOP1 pic.twitter.com/6MQAss1uKL
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 13, 2023
Defensively, the Ravens have tightened things up with Jackson out of the lineup. The team has allowed just 17 points per game over the last three games to give the struggling offense a chance to keep. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith lead an attack that is third in the NFL against the run and third in the NFL in points allowed. Additionally, the Ravens are ranked third in the NFL in red zone defense. One area of concern for the Ravens is the team's pass defense. They are ranked 26th in the NFL against the pass as they get set to square off against the Bengals high-powered offense. Additionally, the team has two cornerbacks banged up, including Marcus Peters. Peters sat out the last game of the season as he nursed a calf injury. They Ravens will need Peters and fellow CB Marlon Humphrey (shoulder) ready to go against the Bengals air attack.
Key Injuries: Jackson is out. Huntley, Humphrey, Peters and Edwards (concussion) all have been limited but all are expected to give it a go on Sunday.
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