Bengals vs. Ravens: 3 Bold Predictions for Cincinnati's AFC North Showdown

Running back Samaje Perine runs for over 100 yards

Two weeks after getting more carries than Chase Brown, I think Samaje Perine will slowly establish himself as the Cincinnati Bengals' No. 1 running back. Chase Brown won’t be completely forgotten; he is still more explosive than Brown. But Perine could easily take the lion’s share of a 55/45 split. 

He is better between the tackles, and it’s time for the Bengals to capitalize on their stellar run-blocking and get closer to the league average, as they currently rank 28th in the NFL with 82.8 rushing yards per game. 

Rumors are swirling that the Bengals could target Jonathan Taylor or Tony Pollard in the trade market. I’d expect them to see what they have with Perine as the #1 option over the next few weeks before deciding. 

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase makes 12 catches for over 125 yards

Chase has been disappointing this season, at least in terms of production. He's still had moments that cement him as the NFL's best wide receiver, like his stellar catches against the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. 

He hasn't eclipsed 100 yards this season, and yes, that number is basically semantics when you see he had 98 yards in Cincinnati’s loss to the Steelers. He hasn’t gone more than five games without 100+ yards in a single season since his rookie year, when he went from October 31 to December 19, seven games, without reaching triple digits in receiving yards.

It’s only a matter of time before he breaks out and has a stellar game like he’s capable of. Baltimore’s pass defense is about league average, and Chase averages just over 120 yards against the Ravens in his career. Expect him to hit a couple big plays to put him over the hump. 

Right tackle Amarius Mims doesn’t allow a pressure facing Trey Hendrickson

Mims has been great this season, allowing only four pressures in five games. Through the first four weeks, Mims allowed just two pressures despite facing talented edge rushers like Rueben Bain Jr., Will Anderson, and TJ Watt. 

He will have extra motivation going against his former teammate, Trey Hendrickson. Reports suggest the Bengals locker room wasn’t too fond of Hendrickson during his time with the franchise, so Mims will have every reason to bring his absolute best against him in a game that could push the Bengals into first place in the division.