Why the Bengals path to the second round of the playoffs might be easier than expected
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a Groundhog Day moment on Sunday when they play the Baltimore Ravens in Paycor Stadium for the second straight week. Cincinnati hopes that Groundhog Day moment extends to the final score, too. The Bengals beat the Ravens 27-16 last week, guaranteeing that a coin toss wouldn't be needed to decide […]
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a Groundhog Day moment on Sunday when they play the Baltimore Ravens in Paycor Stadium for the second straight week.
Cincinnati hopes that Groundhog Day moment extends to the final score, too. The Bengals beat the Ravens 27-16 last week, guaranteeing that a coin toss wouldn't be needed to decide where the first-round playoff game between the two teams would be played.
Based on some NFL news that broke Wednesday morning, a Bengals win feels likely on Sunday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported on Wednesday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson "faces an uphill battle" to play on Sunday against Cincinnati.
According to Garafolo, Jackson's injured knee "hasn't felt right" and he's yet to practice since originally getting hurt in Week 13.
"Not looking good for Lamar Jackson," said Rapoport on Wednesday during an appearance on "Good Morning Football". "Which is a bit of a surprise if you look back. Dec. 4 was the last time he played, battling a PCL sprain. There were so many people involved who thought if Lamar is not going to play in the regular season, he will surely be ready in the playoffs. However, from my understanding this is something sources have said over the course of the past 24 hours is that Lamar Jackson faces an uphill battle to be able to get out on the field in the playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals."
"He is working, he is trying, he is rehabbing," added Rapoport. "The knee is just not quite right. Now, this has been shrouded in some secrecy, so there's always a chance. Anything happens with Lamar Jackson, but I would be surprised base on what I know if he practices today, which means we can see Tyler 'Snoop' Huntley for the Baltimore Ravens."
If Jackson doesn't play, it doesn't guarantee that Cincinnati will beat Baltimore, but it will certainly make it a much easier task for the Bengals.
We'll see how things progress this week. But for now, it sounds like the Ravens might be without one of the most electric players in the NFL for yet another week.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
