The Baltimore Ravens (5-2) are in first place in the AFC North, a complicated division. However, when they hosted the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 7, things got a little messy.
But the Ravens remain a top team in the emerging playoff picture. This week, NFL betting lines have the Ravens favored by six over the Minnesota Vikings.
What about their previous matchups at home?
The Ravens Are 3-1 at Home
The Ravens’ home opener in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs was a back-and-forth contest. It was a close one on Sunday Night Football.
On the third play of the opening drive, Lamar Jackson threw an interception that was returned for a 34-yard touchdown by Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu.
The Ravens responded with a score after six plays. That drive ended with a Ty’Son Williams fumble at the two-yard line, which Ravens receiver Devin Duvernay quickly recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Chiefs responded by scoring after a 92-yard drive. However, Jackson’s next drive came to a halt with another interception.
The first half ended with the Ravens trailing the Chiefs, 21-17. Eventually, the Ravens went into the fourth quarter down 35-24.
With two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Jackson took over to escape with a narrow victory, 36-35.
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens
For their second home game, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 on Monday Night Football. Again, the same trend appeared, where Jackson would have to wage a comeback in the second half.
The Colts were up 10-3 at half-time. Then, the Ravens were down by 16 with 12 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Jackson led a hurry-up offense on two scoring drives that took less than six-and-a-half minutes. On both touchdowns, he converted for two points with passes to tight end Mark Andrews.
The Ravens sent the game into overtime.
They got the ball first and continued their success with Jackson at shotgun. A ten-play scoring drive culminated with a five-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown that won the Ravens another close game at home, 31-25.
The Chargers Come to Town
When the Los Angeles Chargers came to Baltimore in Week 6, the Ravens were ready for them. Lamar Jackson didn’t have much success throwing the ball, but he averaged 6.4 yards on eight rushing attempts.
The Ravens gained more yards on the ground than through the air in their 34-6 blowout of the Chargers.
The offense garnered three rushing touchdowns from Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, and Le’Veon Bell. (Murray didn’t practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 9.)
Thus another scoring trend emerged when Jackson didn’t entirely make or break the team’s chances of winning: the Ravens’ running game.
What Happened at Home Against the Bengals?
Before their bye week, the Ravens hosted the Bengals in Week 7. They lost, 41-17.
Jackson threw for 257 yards but with only one touchdown pass. Freeman had the solitary rushing score for the Ravens, with an abysmal 14 yards on four carries. It was Jackson who led the team on the ground, averaging 7.3 yards on 12 attempts.
The Bengals put plenty of pressure on Jackson, and it worked. They also scored 28 points in the second half after shutting out the Ravens in the first and fourth quarters.
They stymied the Ravens’ scoring trends at home.
Vikings vs. Ravens in Week 9
The Ravens now have something to prove in Week 9. They’ll face a Vikings team struggling to make the playoffs.
Which team do you like this week?
Can the Minnesota Vikings turn their season around, or will Lamar Jackson lead the favored Baltimore Ravens to their fourth victory at home?
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