It s win and they re in (the playoffs) for Ravens vs Bengals Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) catches a pass for a first down as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
CINCINNATI (AP) Five weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens figured they’d have to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs.
After tending to their own part of the equation with four straight victories and receiving the necessary assistance last weekend in the form of losses by Cleveland and Indianapolis, all that remains for the Ravens (10-5) is one more item of business: defeat Cincinnati in the regular-season finale this Sunday.
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Tee Higgins could make Bengals history this week
Higgins has already tied one rookie record. He could be coming for more this Sunday.
Tee Higgins is approaching Bengals history.
In the first road win of the season, Higgins helped Brandon Allen on offense in the 37-31 win. Higgins himself contributed seven receptions for 99 yards, and one highlight touchdown.
On the year, he has 67 receptions, 908 yards, and six touchdowns.
Higgins is only 93 yards away from reaching 1,000 on the year. He would be the third rookie in franchise history, behind only Cris Collinsworth and A.J. Green, to reach that total.
Higgins has already surpassed Green’s rookie receptions mark, and is tied with Collinsworth for most by a rookie.
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
A lot of “what if” scenarios have been tossed around of late, most of them revolving around Joe Burrow. How would the Bengals’ season finished if Burrow stayed healthy? Would they be pushing .500 with wins over Washington, New York and Miami to go with a statement win over Pittsburgh?
Tee Higgins would’ve loved to find out.
Leading up to Sunday, Higgins had seen his production drop off substantially since his rookie teammate was carted off Washington’s field over a month ago. From Weeks 1-10, Higgins averaged a stellar 2.00 yards per route run (per Pro Football Focus), which put him in the top 25 for receivers with at least 20 targets during that timeframe. From Weeks 12-15, his average was just 1.59, putting him outside the top 40 of qualifying receivers.