2023 NFL Playoffs: Predictions for NFL Wild Card weekend
By Grant Tuttle
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (NBC) Sunday, 7:15 pm
The Ravens all but stumbled into the playoffs and the Bengals are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. While this seems to be an easy decision as to who to pick, it will truly all hinge on Lamar Jackson’s status for this week. For the Ravens to have a prayer, they will not only need Jackson to come back but also play at a high level. The Bengals, on the other hand, just need to be competent. They are healthy and they are playing good football.
This weekend, Kansas City will turn purple in the hopes that they do not have to face the Bengals in the playoffs, but this matchup seems to be too good for Cincinnati. With an offense that can beat you on the ground or through the air, the inconsistent Ravens defense will have its hands full all game long. While it could come down to the wire, it should be fairly clear what will happen in this one.
The Bottom Line
The Ravens have nice pieces on both sides of the ball, but they simply do not have the same firepower that the Bengals do. While the Ravens rely heavily on receivers such as Mark Andrews, Demarcus Robinson, and Devin Duvernay, the Bengals use Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd. That, in and of itself, should give reason for pause. The Bengals are loaded and the Ravens are running on fumes. While I (we) hope that the Ravens pull off an upset, the Bengals are going to, in all likelihood, win this one handily.
Prediction: Bengals 31, Ravens 14