2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 18

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)

Sunday, January 8 (Game time TBD)

Editor’s note: This game preview was written prior to the Bengals’ Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills. At this point in time, it’s uncertain whether this game (or any other) will be played as scheduled in Week 18. Our thoughts are first and foremost with Bills safety Damar Hamlin and his family as well as Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who was involved in the play.

Alright, so when is Lamar Jackson going to play again?

At this point, wouldn’t the Ravens just be smarter to wait until the playoffs to bring Jackson back? John Harbaugh told the media on Monday that he doesn’t know if Jackson’s going to practice this week. The reason this question keeps getting asked is because nobody has heard anything regarding if or when Jackson is going to practice again this season.

What if he doesn’t even come back for the playoffs?

That would be bizarre, but the vibe of this is feeling more like “holdout” and less like Lamar really dealing with a serious injury. Perhaps the Ravens are just being coy. Perhaps they just feel confident enough in their operation to afford Jackson all the time he needs to be comfortable being himself.

But in a contract year, this is certainly something worth monitoring. The Ravens won’t be catching the Bengals in the AFC North this year, but they might see each other in the postseason. As of right now, it just feels like the Ravens are completely overmatched by Cincinnati.

The Bengals have made their case all season long as arguably the best team in the AFC, right there with teams like Buffalo and Kansas City. I suppose everyone should have expected that after the Bengals nearly won themselves a Super Bowl last year, right?

I think the Bengals end the regular season on a high note

Prediction: Bengals win 28-20