Bengals @ Ravens: Wipe Away the Ash of the Past

The Bengals are coming off a bye week after defeating the Dolphins in week 5 of the NFL season. Joe Burrow played well, finishing the game with 190 yards and 4 TDs. Not as much effect in the run game, but between Samaje Perine and Chase Brown, it was there enough. The Bengals defense even forced 3 turnovers. I get it, it’s the Dolphins, but still any time you can take the ball away that is a plus for your side. An overall good game from Cincy, I just don’t like how close they let the Dolphins get. The Bengals can score, that much is clear, but their true success in their season will lie in their defense. It’s great they won, but they should’ve smoked this team by 24. And I think I’m being generous with this offense. They get a tough divisional opponent in the Ravens as they try and stay close to the top of this tight division.

         The Ravens had a little bit of a collapse in a game they should’ve won. Yes, they were without Lamar Jackson again, so that is going to change the game. But Tyler Huntley is a proven backup QB, so it shouldn’t have hindered them that much. I think the biggest issue was Derrick Henry, who only had 17 carries for 58 yards and 0 TDs. Henry, who is usually the catalyst of this offense, seemed to be unable to get by the Browns front 7. I think there is a good chance Lamar Jackson comes back this week, so that will provide a huge jump to their offense and their team. But I will need to see some urgency and execution from the defensive side to help Lamar out. He's pretty close to it, but he’s not Superman. He needs his surrounding cast to help. I like the Ravens here.