MIKE PRESTON’S KEY MATCHUPS
Ravens LBs C.J. Mosley and Kamalei Correa vs. Bengals RBs Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Joe Mixon: The Bengals have great depth at this position and Mixon, a rookie, is the most explosive. Bernard is a better weapon. Hill is the steady downhill type, but has had problems holding onto the ball. Mosley is the Ravens’ best linebacker and has great lateral movement. Correa will be making his first start and has struggled taking on blockers. The Ravens have to be disciplined and not overpursue. Ravens CBs Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr vs. Bengals WR A.J. Green: Green has done a lot of damage to the Ravens and seems to come up with big plays in crunch time. He has outstanding speed and runs good routes. He is just as effective in the short passing game as the deep passing attack, but is unbelievable in the red zone. Smith might shadow Green, but that won’t be known until game time. Carr will do a decent job of keeping Green in front of him, but will struggle in a foot race. Ravens OLBs Terrell Suggs and Matthew Judon vs. Bengals OTs Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher: The Bengals have worked hard trying to patch together a starting unit, but this is the weakest group on the team. The Ravens have to be able to exploit them and put pressure on quarterback Andy Dalton. Suggs has to play hard and establish the rush early. Judon is playing the strong side but still could be a factor in the pass rush. The Bengals often attack Suggs off the edge because he likes to crash inside.