6 realistic expectations for Bengals vs. Ravens in week 16
By Alex Austin
Cincinnati Bengals turn to their recent Pro-Bowlers on offense
Ja’Marr Chase takes the attention of the defense but does not have a big game
The last time these two teams played, Ja’Marr Chase had the best game of his career and put the Ravens on notice. He went off for over 200 receiving yards and a touchdown and was a huge reason the Bengals dominated that game from start to finish. But, this time around, I don’t expect the Cincinnati Pro-Bowler to be quite as productive.
The biggest reason I see Chase having a quiet day is that Baltimore will do everything to not let him have another big day. However, the attention Chase will garner should spring open Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd for big games.
Both Higgins and Boyd will catch a touchdown and continually find themselves involved in critical plays. Joe Burrow will need to find the open man and not force the ball, but with the attention Chase will receive, there should be no shortage of open playmakers.
Joe Mixon runs for over 100 yards in a huge game after his first Pro-Bowl selection
While nobody will really remember this, Joe Mixon had a relatively low production game in Baltimore earlier in the year. Burrow and his talented wide receivers had no problem torching the defense, but that forced Mixon into a backseat role. Not this week.
I see Mixon flipping the script and being the focal point of this offense. Even against a fairly strong rushing defense, Mixon is going to have plenty of room.
With Baltimore playing to not get beat deep, expect Mixon to be able to consistently rush for 6-7 yards all day long. Eventually, this wears on the defense and Mixon will have the opportunity to break off some huge runs.