Bengals Keys To Victory: Early Momentum And Stopping Lamar
Syndication: The Enquirer
Coming off of a tough loss to the surging Houston Texans, the Bengals have found themselves in an absolute must-win situation against the first place Baltimore Ravens. It’s going to be a tall task, as the Bengals historically struggle in prime time on the road, and the Bengals will be without a couple key pieces in Tee Higgins and Sam Hubbard
Here are our keys for the Bengals to make a statement and pull off the win against the AFC North leaders.
Contain Lamar Jackson
This key to victory should come with clapping emojis in between each word.
Contain 👏 Lamar 👏 Jackson 👏
(Have we made our point? Good.)
Lamar has had the Bengals’ number over his career, as he has a 7-1 lifetime record against Cincinnati as the Ravens’ starting QB. In his career against the Bengals, he has a 12/4 TD to INT ratio, a 93.9 passer rating, and he became a GIF for the rest of eternity in 2019 when he did a spin move on two Bengals defenders at once en route to a 47 yard touchdown.
Four years ago today, Lamar Jackson showed the world that he was Houdini with an unreal spin move touchdown against the Bengals pic.twitter.com/ljRZNEh8hi
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) November 10, 2023
On top of his passing stats, he’s averaged 71.3 rushing yards per game in his career against Cincinnati, which is no small feat. He’s the NFL’s leading rusher among QBs in 2023, as his rushing total of 481 yards is over 100 yards higher than the next closest QB, Josh Dobbs.
Containing the electric quarterback and preventing him from cooking is mandatory for the Bengals to pull off the victory. Which, speaking of…
Establish momentum, and don’t let the foot off the gas
During the loss against the Texans, the Bengals established momentum early thanks to a dime from Joe Burrow to Trenton Irwin. However, that’s where the offensive production stopped for awhile, as the Texans’ offense took over the momentum and went on a 27-10 run until late in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals are a team with an offense that’s capable of being as powerful as any offense in the league. Not only do they need all that offensive firepower to keep up with Baltimore, who has scored the second most points in the NFL this year (only Miami has more), but they also need it against a defense that has allowed the third fewest points in the NFL (only the Chiefs and 49ers have allowed fewer points).
The Bengals are more than capable of that, as San Francisco, who is tied for the fewest points allowed in the NFL, is a team that the Bengals lit up for 31 points back merely three weeks ago. You better flippin’ believe it.
Ja’Marr Chase with a flip and a TOUCHDOWN! The score is now 24 – 10. Bengals leading still. #CINvsSF #JamarrChase #NFL #Bengals #Niners pic.twitter.com/Rghxibh2ni
— justncl (@peacelessone1) October 29, 2023
Everyone needs to recognize this as an opportunity to prove themselves
There’s no avoiding it. The game against Baltimore is more than a must win. It’s a game where the season is practically on the line. The Bengals are very much in the playoff hunt at 5-4, but a loss in this game puts them at an even .500 and makes the road to the playoffs remarkably steep.
It’s already been determined that the Bengals will be without Sam Hubbard, which is tough, but it’s not all doom and gloom on the defensive line. Trey Hendrickson, who was thought to be out this week due to a knee hyperextension, logged a full practice on Wednesday and is expected to play.
#Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is now expected to suit up for tomorrow's game and play through his hyperextended knee pain, per The Enquirer.
AN ABSOLUTE MENACE. 💪😈 #WHODEY pic.twitter.com/vMgv6zRFSk
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) November 15, 2023
(We here at The Noise™ are legally obligated to point out that he has what the kids call “That dawg in him”)
Hubbard’s absence is an opportunity for players such as Cam Sample, Joseph Ossai, and 2023 first round pick Myles Murphy to step up and get reps in during the absence of the Bengals’ longtime starting defensive end. While speaking to the media earlier in the week, Murphy said that he recognizes that his reps may be increased in this game and that the young D-linemen need to step up, but their preparation will be business as usual.
Bengals first-round pick Myles Murphy on the potential of getting more snaps this week vs the Ravens with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson injured pic.twitter.com/sGljjs9Cxo
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) November 13, 2023
The receiver corps is also still a bit banged up, as Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas will miss Thursday’s game. In addition, speedster Charlie Jones, who is coming back from a thumb injury and has logged full practices all week, remains questionable.
Joe Burrow will likely have the same targets at his disposal this week as he did on Sunday against Houston, so it’s yet another opportunity for Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd to have huge production. It’ll also give players like Tanner Hudson, Trenton Irwin, and Irv Smith Jr. another chance to step up and show their value, which they have all shown the capability to do.
The prime time matchup will be far from easy, but it’s also another golden opportunity for Cincinnati to make a statement and etch themselves right back in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
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