Predicting Cincinnati Bengals’ final 4 games of 2021 season

Week 16 – vs. Ravens (Sunday, Dec. 26 — 1:00 EST)

In Week 16, the Baltimore Ravens come to town to take on the Bengals in a crucial division matchup. Now, this outcome could vary on a lot of different things. If Lamar Jackson is healthy and good to go, I would consider the Bengals a slight underdog even though they beat them the first time.

If Jackson plays but isn’t 100%, or he doesn’t play at all, this is a game where the Bengals should be the favorite and need to realize that and take advantage of it.

The Bengals schemed exceptionally well for the Ravens the first time around so they know how to slow down Baltimore. With no Marlon Humphrey in the picture on the defensive side of the ball, Cincy receivers should once again have their way as long as the offensive line holds up like it did in the first meeting. That’s a big “if” though.

If Cincinnati can not commit self-inflicted wounds and they can limit whoever is behind center — whether that’s Jackson or Tyler Huntley — by not letting them escape the pocket and forcing them to make challenging and uncomfortable throws, the Ohio team will escape this game with a win. If they do, it will put the AFC North race into an extremely close battle heading into the final two weeks.