AFC North: Ravens vs Bengals is divisional battle to watch in Week 11
The 2018 NFL regular season ushers in the final two weeks of play in November and the AFC North remains an interesting division. The Cincinnati Bengals, after losing big to a New Orleans Saints team, will square off in a head-to-head division rivalry game with the Baltimore Ravens, who are coming off of a bye. While the Cleveland Browns, who beat the floundering Atlanta Falcons, take a late-season bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel south to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in a bit of a grudge match.
Ravens v. Bengals may be a battle of attrition
While the Bengals were being out-played by the Saints last weekend, the Ravens were hoping they’d get healthy and rested in time to make the final few weeks, predicted to be an easier road (strength of schedule) than their earlier season games, successful by stacking wins. Cincinnati is battling a long list of injuries and the announcement on Thursday that Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco‘s hip (an injury sustained while playing the Steelers in Week 9) is no better than rookie Lamar Jackson‘s stomach made this Sunday’s division rivalry game look like it may end up a battle of attrition.
A stomach issue sidelined Lamar Jackson from today’s practice, per source. Robert Griffin III was the lone healthy Ravens’ QB at practice today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2018
For Baltimore, Week 11 is a must-win situation if they hope to see the postseason in 2018. Entering the game with a 4-5 record (1-3 in the division; 4-3 in the conference) means that a loss would likely eliminate them from contention. Win-loss record aside, if Flacco and Jackson are both sidelined on Sunday, the Ravens would have to ask Robert Griffin III to lead the team.
Cincinnati isn’t in a must-win situation just yet, but after losing three of their last four games, morale is low, especially due to a long list of injured players that seems to never get much better. Add recent coaching changes – Teryl Austin out, Hue Jackson in – with Marvin Lewis taking the reins into his own hands, it lends to some uncertainty.
The last time these two teams met, in Week 2, the Ravens were burned by A.J. Green and his three-touchdown performance and Flacco’s three turnovers. Neither of those players is expected to play this weekend. Cincinnati can’t get back into contention for the AFC North without going through Baltimore to keep pace with a Pittsburgh team that look like the contender they were predicted to be.
The Ravens are healthier overall than the Bengals are right now, but the only difference between Wednesday’s injury report and the one Cincinnati released on Thursday was that Dre Kirkpatrick returned (concussion) and Joe Mixon was limited (knee). Mixon reportedly suffered the injury during practice, which is not a positive and Kirkpatrick has not cleared the NFL concussion protocol yet. Cincinnati is expected to be thin at the receiver position with Green (toe) joined by Josh Malone (hamstring) and John Ross (groin) even though there is still a possibility Malone and Ross could get game-ready. If all three are sidelined, Andy Dalton will have Alex Erickson, Cody Core, Auden Tate and Tyler Boyd to throw to. Defensively, Vontaze Burfict and Darqueze Dennard are still question marks.
It would come as little surprise if both teams attempt to get the run game going very early to alleviate some of their personnel issues. As it is, this divisional battle looks like it will feature two teams that are beat up and close to desperation mode. The Ravens have home-field advantage, but if they can’t dial up a stiffer defense and more productive offense than they did in Week 2, the pundits that have the Bengals (+5 favorites) walking away with the win will be proven correct.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. (EST)*
Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)
TV: CBS
Radio: Bengals Radio Network (WLW-AM 700), WCKY-AM (ESPN 1530), WEBN-FM 102.7 (Cincinnati Market); 98 Rock | WBAL 1090 AM (Baltimore Market)
