Breaking down major NFL playoff implications in Week 11 schedule
By Ian Wharton
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
After jumping out to encouraging starts to the season, both the Bengals and Ravens have crashed recently due to a slew of injuries and limitations. It also hasn’t helped that the Steelers have won five straight to come back from the dead, and the incumbents now look like the prohibitive favorite in the division again.
But both of these teams are still in the playoff race. The Bengals own the sixth seed and their own destiny. With the Titans, Dolphins, Ravens, and Colts lurking behind them, they must strive to win no less than nine games to secure the playoff spot.
Cincinnati’s reliance on talent over a diverse scheme has led to uneven results. They’ve alternated wins and losses since Week 3, with their defense noticeably unable to find a groove. Quality offenses aren’t having enough trouble dissecting their zone-heavy coverage, prompting Marvin Lewis to take over the defensive duties this past week.
Losing A.J. Green for a few weeks will likely cost the offense dearly too. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has done little besides heavily targeting his best talents, so he’ll have to dial up more combination routes to maximize Tyler Boyd’s and John Ross’ unique skills. This should be a good-enough group to win games, but it’s also unfair to ask them to score 40 every week.
The Ravens are also in a tough slump, dropping three-in-a-row and having uncertainty at quarterback. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Lamar Jackson missed Thursday’s practice due to a stomach illness, and Joe Flacco is still questionable to play. It’s possible Robert Griffin III starts.
Flacco’s play dipped back into an unacceptable range after a hot start, so it’s time for them to start transitioning to Jackson regardless of their playoff status. Jackson may not be better this year, or ever, but he offers a higher upside and dynamic for this unit that lacks consistent playmaking. He could bring a needed spark to this 4-5 team.
I’ll take the Bengals due to the uncertainty of the quarterback situation for Baltimore.
Prediction: Bengals 20-17