Adversity Is Harbaugh's Middle Name, Actually It's William

AP Photo/Frank Victores

 If you were to tell Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh that his mighty men would be 5-1 through six games before the season, I bet he would have no complaints. While the Ravens haven't done it without miraculous comebacks and kicks, the team is as battle tested as any when it comes to handling adversity. A franchise that has always prided itself on having depth, Baltimore has been put to the test with a league high 16 players on the IR list. Tough news recently surfaced that the Ravens will not be getting back all-pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley, as he underwent season-ending surgery on his ankle. 

All things considered, the Ravens sit atop the AFC North standings at 5-1. An important matchup against the high firepowered Cinicinatti Bengals looms for Sunday at 1pm at M&T Bank Stadium with first place on the line. The young phenom quarterback Joe Burrow heads into Baltimore with an impressive start to the 2021 season, posting a 2-1 TD-INT ratio with 1,540 passing yards. Baltimore will have their hands full with rookie wide reciever Ja'marr Chase who is off to a fantastic start. Ravens Defensive Coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale said of Chase that he "was made in lab". 

While the Ravens will have their hands full stopping a new-look Bengals attack, the same rings true for Cincinatti stopping Lamar Jackson. The 2019 NFL MVP has carried the Ravens on his back at times this year and is in the conversation for another MVP in 2021. The Ravens have been depleted at the running back position but have gotten key contributions through an improved passing attack. Wide reciever Marquise Brown and tight end Mark Andrews have shouldered the load and are off to great starts.

My prediction: Ravens 27 Bengals 21

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