RAVENS VS. BENGALS
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, PAUL BROWN STADIUM, CINCINNATI uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 706
Announcers: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Melanie Collins
About the Ravens: Hit hard by injuries at multiple spots throughout camp, the Ravens think QB will return from a back injury and be his usual, steady self. But there are questions — the Ravens had to remake their offensive line on the fly in August, and Flacco is coming back after missing the last five weeks. DT the core of one of the NFL’s best defenses, returns after signing a mega extension, and the Ravens think they have upgraded both their pass rush and their secondary. WR was signed this summer, and, after two injuryriddled seasons, WR finally should be a full-time player. The Ravens couldn’t run the ball last season and again have questions in that aspect, but their defense doesn’t bend against the run and keeps them in games.
About the Bengals: They got younger and faster in the offseason, and they think they’ll eventually have an offense as versatile and potent as the one that helped them make five consecutive playoff appearances. Both WR
and TE should return to form after battling injury last season and help QB and rookie RB
gives the running game more pop. The defense starts the season without injured S
and two suspended players, CB and LB but DT remains one of the league’s most disruptive interior players, and CB adds speed and playmaking after missing his rookie season because of injury. The Ravens will lean on wideout Jeremy Maclin, a veteran they signed in June.
Suggs has been tormenting NFL tackles since Ogbuehi was in middle school. With Andrew Whitworth having departed in free agency, it’s time for Ogbuehi to take on the big boys. He struggled last year in his first extensive NFL action, and the play of the remade offensive line is probably the biggest question surrounding the Bengals’ offense.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
He doesn’t possess the speed that made him so dangerous early in his career, but Maclin and the Ravens made an ideal match when he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens couldn’t talk Steve Smith Sr. out of retirement and still can’t trust Perriman to play a full season, but Maclin brings experience and savvy to an offense that’s going to have to grow quickly.
Green has at least one touchdown catch in five consecutive games vs. the Ravens and has gone for more than 130 yards receiving in three of those five.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Shorten the game: The Ravens couldn’t run the ball last season, but they’ll focus on establishing the run and easing Flacco back into things. As usual, they’ll rely on their defense to set up scoring chances.
2. Pick your spots: Flacco is best at throwing the deep ball, and Perriman and WR
will challenge the Bengals’ young cornerbacks.
3. Let Geno eat: The Ravens had to shuffle the center position multiple times in camp because of retirements and injuries, which led to four of the five line positions being in flux. Atkins and the Bengals need to take advantage of the Ravens’ need to build chemistry.
The Bengals still might use RB and RB is a versatile utility player. But only Mixon is powerful and quick enough to get chunk runs against the Ravens, and it’s time to let the rookie show what he can do.
Zac Jackson