Ravens vs. Bengals odds: Opening lines for Week 7 matchup

Entering Week 7, there is one question on the mind of every Ravens fan: will Lamar Jackson play against the Bengals?

The two-time MVP quarterback has not practiced in two weeks and missed Baltimore’s last two games. Backup Tyler Huntley managed to steal an overtime win in Atlanta in his first start, but he could not move the ball against the Browns last Sunday.

A 1-1 record in two games without one of the most impactful players in the entire sport is not a bad outcome, especially if the rest allows Jackson to be closer to full-strength for the Ravens’ tough stretch of upcoming opponents. Next up are the Bengals, who enter the week as 2.5-point underdogs for their trip to Baltimore (via FanDuel Sportsbook).

Cincinnati has their usual explosive, pass-heavy with a middling defense outside of one of the league’s best pass rushes. These matchups often turn into shootouts, which will not be sustainable with Huntley under center. Jackson opens up the playbook and helps the run game by forcing defenses to respect his arm and contain his legs.

Jackson’s status on the Ravens’ first injury report of Week 7 could swing this line later on Wednesday afternoon. Injury updates on other key players, including trade acquisition Cam Jurgens, may not move the market, but they will still be plenty relevant on Sunday. In his Ravens debut, Jurgens will face the Bengals’ strong defensive tackle duo of Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, provided he can clear concussion protocol in time to play.

If Jackson misses another game, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will have his toughest test yet slowing down Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, who have tortured Baltimore in the past and will be looking for revenge for last year’s shutout. In the last two games, his “best at our best when the best is needed” mantra has really showed up. In Atlanta, the Ravens decisively won the game’s last four drives to come back from an eight-point deficit for the third time that night and win in overtime. In Cleveland, the offense opened the fourth quarter with a missed field goal and a fumble and squandered subsequent redemption opportunities with three-and-outs. The defense dominated for most of the game, but could not keep the Browns out of the end zone after of the fumble and gave up a 33-yard completion on third-and-five to set up the game-winning field goal.

Unfortunately, it is not hard to envision the Ravens stuffing the Bengals on early downs only to allow chain-moving, back-breaking completions to Chase and Higgins on third down. Cincinnati’s season average of 25.6 points feels like a tough target for Huntley unless Baltimore’s new-look O-line gels right away. If Jackson plays, well, he’s Lamar Jackson. With Ja’Kobi Lane, a proper center, and the team’s best guard back at his natural position, he could be primed for a comeback performance.