6 bold predictions for Ravens in Week 7 matchup vs. Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 7 divisional matchup between the first and second place teams in the AFC North. Baltimore enters the contest with an AFC-best 5-1 record, while Cincinnati isn’t far behind, boasting a 4-2 record themselves.

There will be plenty of storylines to watch in this game, including if Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson can continue his scorching start to the 2021 season, if Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow can have success against a somewhat inconsistent Baltimore defense and more.

Below we take a look at six bold predictions for the Ravens’ Week 7 contest with Cincinnati.

Tyler Huntley time comes to Baltimore for the second-straight week

(AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

The Ravens have been such a dominant team over recent years that they haven’t had to have their star quarterback in Lamar Jackson finish games out because they’re winning by so many points. That exact situation happened last week, where Baltimore blew out the Los Angeles Chargers by the score of 34-6.

Tyler Huntley came into the game against Los Angeles to finish it out, and against a Bengals team that still has a few holes on the defensive side of the ball and has struggled to stop Jackson in recent matchups, we could see Huntley put the finishing touches on another big game for the Ravens.

– Kevin Oestreicher

QB Lamar Jackson throws for 350+ yards

Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson has proved many critics wrong this season with his ability to throw the football. Through six weeks, he has completed 67.5% of his passes for 1,686 yards and nine touchdowns. In one of those contests, Jackson threw for a whopping 442 yards and four touchdowns while completing an impressive 86% of his passes.

With the Bengals’ rushing defense ranked 7th in the NFL allowing only 90.5 yards per game on the ground, Jackson could need to put this game on his arm. He certainly has the talent and weapons around him to make that happen.

– Robert Sobus

RB Ty'Son Williams scores 2+ total touchdowns

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore got their running game back on track in Week 6, averaging 4.9 yards per carry as a team and seeing all three of their active running backs score one touchdown on the ground. However, with Latavius Murray now ruled out for Week 7, more opportunities will be available at the running back position.

Williams has been a healthy scratch in two of the last three weeks, but with Murray out, the second-year runner will most likely be active. He has a lot to prove, and although the Bengals have been strong at defending the run in 2021, he could show why he deserves more playing time.

– Kevin Oestreicher

WR Rashod Bateman scores first career touchdown

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Rashod Bateman made his NFL debut in Week 6 during the Ravens’ blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers. In that matchup, Bateman caught four of his six targets for 29 yards, with all of his catches resulting in a Baltimore first down.

Despite those numbers being somewhat low, the Ravens were able to follow a positive game script for most the contest, heavily relying on their running game. Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals could be a close contest, and in turn Bateman could be used heavily in the pass game with Sammy Watkins out for the second consecutive week. Bateman could find the end zone for his first NFL touchdown in Week 7, meaning it would come against a division rival.

– Robert Sobus

The Ravens sack Joe Burrow 5+ times

Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

In Burrows’ only game against the Ravens in his career, he arguably had his worst day as a professional. He was thrown for a loop by Baltimore’s heavy blitzing defense, and he was also sacked seven times, making his day one to forget.

Cincinnati has improved their pieces around Burrow, both with pass catchers and on the offensive line. However, coming off of a strong performance against a high-powered Chargers offense, Don Martindale could decide to test Burrow once again and see if he can handle the heat and his complex looks. If the Bengals’ offensive line doesn’t hold up and Burrow struggles with reading the Ravens’ defense, it could once again be a long day for the second-year quarterback.

– Kevin Oestreicher

Baltimore totals 500+ yards on offense

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Ravens are averaging 422 total yards per game in 2021, showing once again why they are regarded as one of the best offensive units in the NFL. With Baltimore going up against a very talented Bengals offense, the yards could be racked up quickly in a potential shootout.

If the Ravens do find themselves needing to run the ball, it will only help get them closer to the 500-yard threshold, even with their backfield missing a player like Latavius Murray.

– Robert Sobus

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