Zachary Engberg
2 min read • October 08, 2022
Posted in
This AFC North divisional battle of star quarterbacks is the most lopsided SIC score difference of Week 5.
This matchup features a 17.2 SIC score advantage for the Bengals, the largest difference in Week 5 and the largest of the season.
Cincinnati had a 13-point edge in Dallas in Week 2 but took a 20-17 overtime loss. The Bengals are 2-0 since with a plus-27 scoring differential, 6-to-1 turnover advantage, and an eight-minute time of possession advantage.
Those advantages also come in opportune spaces for the Joe Burrow-led offense, which is at its best when it’s taking the top off of the secondary with bombs to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Higgins and tight end Hayden Hurst are both listed as questionable but head coach Zac Taylor said he “feel[s] positive” they will be ready to play.
Higgins suffered a concussion in Week 1, returned the next week, and took another big hit in Week 3 but was never examined for a second concussion. The third-year pro leads the team with 315 receiving yards and two scores on 20 receptions.
The defense is nearly devoid of serious injury concerns and is without mostly depth pieces, including defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt and Brandon Wilson.
The only glaring absence is defensive tackle DJ Reader, who reportedly suffered an MCL sprain in Week 3 and will miss at least six weeks.
Two different groups for the Ravens – the pass defense and rush offense – have league-low SIC scores of 60.6 and 68.1, respectively, powered by the significant injuries and rehabs of Ronnie Stanley, Marcus Peters, Kyle Fuller, and J.K. Dobbins, among others.
Even with the laundry list of issues the Ravens are 3.5-point favorites at home against the Bengals with an over/under of 47.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Those grades have, for the most part, born out in Baltimore’s play: the Ravens’ defense has allowed a league-worst 315.3 passing yards per game and has twice surrendered double-digit fourth-quarter comebacks while the rushing attack has been nearly absent outside of Lamar Jackson, who has over half (316) of the team’s 568 yards and 15 of their 31 rushing first downs.
Jackson will be battling the league’s No. 8 scoring defense without second-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who suffered a foot injury last week, and running back Justice Hill, who has been the most effective non-Jackson rusher.
Dobbins, SIC score 63, rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown on 3.15 yards a carry and scored on a 20-yard reception last week.
Devin Duvernay, who has already exceeded his career touchdown total (two) with three this season, will now slot behind Mark Andrews as the No. 2 receiving option.
Stanley is questionable but his return is now reportedly a matter of when, not if.
Rookie Daniel Faalele will likely start in his place if Stanley sits again and versatile lineman Patrick Mekari is questionable with
The defense is missing, from front to back: nose tackle Michael Pierce, linebackers Justin Houston, Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo, and Vince Beigel, and cornerback Kyle Fuller.
Marcus Peters is gradually regaining his mobility but is still behind the eight ball and will be matched up with two of the best outside receivers in the NFL with an SIC score of 66.
Despite the absences, the Ravens have forced a league-most 10 turnovers and the Bengals have committed only one turnover since a disastrous five-giveaway Week 1 loss.
Written by Zachary Engberg
