As the Cincinnati Bengals head into their crucial matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, all eyes are on Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ hopes of pulling off an upset rest on the shoulders of their star quarterback. But can Burrow deliver, especially with the absence of key weapons and facing off against one of the NFL’s best defenses?

At the same time, Tom Brady has made some interesting comments on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, particularly their struggle to produce big numbers despite having Patrick Mahomes under center. As the league’s top quarterbacks deal with adversity and expectations, we break down what to expect from these teams heading into Week 9.

Ravens vs. Bengals: Key to the Bengals’ Success Lies with Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals enter their divisional clash with the Baltimore Ravens at a disadvantage on paper. Not only are they 6-point underdogs, but they will likely be without top wide receiver Tee Higgins. The Ravens, on the other hand, have been playing well and look like a team primed for a deep playoff run. However, as we’ve seen time and time again, games in the AFC North tend to be unpredictable, and the Bengals have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the Ravens, especially when Joe Burrow is playing at his best.

The Burrow Factor: Can He Do It All?

Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are tied directly to Burrow’s performance. The Bengals’ offense, ranked near the bottom in rushing yards per game, lacks the balance to keep defenses honest. That means Burrow has to carry the load, and he’s proven he can do it. In their Week 5 matchup against the Ravens, Burrow threw for over 300 yards and kept the Bengals within striking distance the entire game. However, despite the strong performance, they lost by a narrow field goal in overtime. To win on Sunday, Burrow will need to replicate that performance — or do even better.

The pressure is on Burrow to maintain high accuracy, preferably completing 70% or more of his passes. His ability to get the ball to playmakers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will be critical. Even without Higgins, the Bengals have the depth to make plays, but only if Burrow has enough time in the pocket. A key factor will be the performance of the Bengals’ offensive line, which must give Burrow the time he needs to find open receivers and make the deep throws that are so vital to this offense.

Defensive Concerns: Bengals Need Help from the Defense

The Bengals’ defense has been a mixed bag. They’re not an elite unit by any stretch, but they’ve been opportunistic at times. In order for Cincinnati to pull off the win, their defense must generate turnovers and disrupt Lamar Jackson’s rhythm. Jackson has been playing at a high level, using both his arm and legs to lead the Ravens. However, if the Bengals can contain Jackson and avoid letting him turn the game into a shootout, they could create the window they need to let Burrow work his magic.

Ultimately, the Bengals will rely on Burrow’s performance to keep them in the game — and with their defense playing opportunistic football, they have a shot.

Tom Brady Weighs In on Chiefs’ Offensive Struggles

Meanwhile, Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, recently weighed in on the struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs, specifically pointing to the lack of offensive production outside of Travis Kelce. Despite Patrick Mahomes continuing to play at a high level, the Chiefs have found themselves struggling to consistently put up big numbers on offense.

Brady, known for his ability to win championships with teams that didn’t always have star-studded skill positions, noted that Mahomes’ lack of success this season isn’t due to his skill but rather a lack of reliable playmakers around him. “I don’t think Patrick Mahomes is a lesser player because he doesn’t have 25 touchdowns at this point,” Brady said. “He’s just not playing with guys that can produce that from the receiver position.”

A Lack of Help for Mahomes

Brady’s comments seem to hit at a core issue for the Chiefs in 2023: a lack of a true No. 1 receiver. Juju Smith-Schuster left in free agency, and though the Chiefs added Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy in the draft, neither has consistently stepped up in a big way. The loss of Tyreek Hill was felt more than expected, leaving Mahomes with Travis Kelce as the only consistent option in the passing game.

In fact, Mahomes’ numbers — an 11-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio — are uncharacteristic of a quarterback of his caliber. However, the Chiefs’ issues go beyond Mahomes’ individual stats. The lack of a deep, reliable group of receivers forces Mahomes to play hero ball, which can lead to uncharacteristic mistakes. With the Chiefs’ lack of consistent production outside of Kelce, it’s clear they need more from their supporting cast to unlock Mahomes’ full potential.

Mahomes’ Real Challenge: Finding Consistency

While Brady acknowledged that Mahomes can manage through the adversity, it’s clear that Mahomes is feeling the pressure of not having the weapons he had in previous seasons. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs could be the move that turns things around, but that remains to be seen. If they can get Hopkins working alongside Kelce and start utilizing their young receivers more effectively, Mahomes could return to the MVP-caliber play that we’ve come to expect.

But, as Brady points out, the best quarterbacks — even someone like Mahomes — can only do so much when they don’t have the right tools around them. Until the Chiefs’ wideouts step up, Mahomes might continue to struggle with inconsistency.

Conclusion: Ravens vs. Bengals – Can Burrow and the Bengals Defy the Odds?

The Bengals’ chances in their upcoming matchup with the Ravens hinge on Joe Burrow’s ability to elevate the offense in the absence of Tee Higgins and against one of the toughest defenses in the league. With Lamar Jackson playing at a high level, the Bengals will need to be at their best both offensively and defensively to secure a much-needed win.

Meanwhile, Tom Brady’s comments about the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive struggles offer a glimpse into the challenges facing Patrick Mahomes this season. Despite his talent, Mahomes is not immune to the issues that arise when the supporting cast isn’t performing. If the Chiefs want to get back to their championship-winning form, they’ll need to see more from their receivers and find a way to make Mahomes’ life easier.

As we head into another week of NFL action, both the Bengals and the Chiefs face crucial games. The Ravens will be tough to beat, but the Bengals have the pieces to make it happen if Burrow plays like the superstar we know he is. For the Chiefs, the clock is ticking to get their offense in sync before it’s too late.