The halfway point in the NFL season is upon us and this week 10 matchup is an AFC North clash as Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) travel to face reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens (6-3). The Bengals need to win this game so they can improve their chances to make the playoffs, whereas if the Ravens win, it will put them on top of the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a bye week.
Joe Burrow has been on fire this season. Over the nine games played this season, Burrow has thrown for 2244 yards with 20 touchdowns and only four interceptions (212 completions from 303 attempts) with a 70.2% completion rate. Burrow is averaging 249 yards per game, which places him in 7th overall amongst his peers.
Embed from Getty ImagesBurrow will be looking to target WR Ja’Marr Chase, who has scored seven touchdowns this season. Chase has 55 receptions from 70 targets for a total of 717 yards. The Bengals will also be relying on RB Chase Brown to continue to impress since taking over the role from Zack Moss, who is on Injured Reserve with a neck injury. Brown has rushed for 479 yards on 105 attempts and has scored 4 touchdowns in three starts.
Embed from Getty ImagesLamar Jackson has also been in MVP form this season. Jackson has thrown for 2379 yards with 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions (174 completions from 255 attempts) with a completion rate of 68.2. Jackson averages 264 yards per game this season, which puts him in 3rd behind Seattle QB Geno Smith and the Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield. Jackson Has also rushed for 505 yards and has 2 touchdowns.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Jackson does not need to rush that often now. The Ravens traded for Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans in the off-season, and he is the missing piece for this offense. Henry has 1052 yards so far this season and is on course to be the first running back to have two 2000+ yard seasons. Henry averages 116 yards per game and has scored 11 touchdowns.
Prediction – Another tough game to call but any team with Jackson and Henry in is hard to beat, so Ravens to win by three points.
