The matchups that should decide Ravens at Bengals.
The Cincinnati Bengals put their first tally in the win column last weekend by defeating the Carolina Panthers on the road. This week, they return to the Jungle to host the Baltimore Ravens for their first game against a division rival.
The 2-2 Ravens are fresh off a dominating win over the Buffalo Bills and are looking to wrestle the division away from the Steelers, while the 1-3 Bengals are looking to save their season after another slow start.
This is a huge game for both teams. Here are a few matchups that could decide the game.
Bengals defensive front vs. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry
The Ravens are leading the NFL in rushing yards so far this season by close to 200 yards. Baltimore, led by Jackson, one of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks, added quite possibly the most dominant running back in the last several years in Henry this offseason, and it has obviously paid off. Henry leads the league in rushing yards, and Jackson is in the top-10, coming in a No. 9.
The Bengals have struggled when it comes to stopping the run. They’ve allowed the ninth-most rushing yards so far this season, but they are getting help back in Week 5. Not only is BJ Hill coming back into the fold after suffering a hamstring injury, but the Bengals are getting rookie defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson and last season’s first-round pick Myles Murphy.
The only way the Bengals will avoid going 1-4 is by limiting the incredible Ravens rushing attack. We’ll see if Lou Anarumo and the front seven are up to the task.
Trey Hendrickson vs. Ronnie Stanley
Stanley, the Ravens’ left tackle, has been outstanding so far this season. He has taken 100 percent of the snaps, allowed zero sacks and has only given up four pressures. Hendrickson’s efforts haven’t translated into very many sacks (he has 3), but he has the 10th-highest win rate for an edge rusher who has taken at least 50 percent of the team’s snaps, according to PFF. Amazingly, he has practiced this week after suffering a stinger in Week 4.
With more help coming, especially Murphy, who hopefully helps add some pass-rushing juice from the other side while Sam Hubbard deals with an injured hamstring, Stanley is going to have to be on top of his game to avoid giving up his first sack of the season.
Hendrickson will hopefully find he’s not a one-man pass rush on Sunday and help keep Jackson from finding receivers deep downfield.
Joe Burrow/Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins vs. Marlon Humphrey/Brandon Stephens/Nate Wiggins
The Bengals have run more 12-personnel than any other team, meaning one running back, two tight ends (mostly Drew Sample and Erick All), and two wide receivers. That wide receiver duo happens to be the best duo in the league: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The benefit of running 12-personnel is they can run the ball, and they have run the ball very effectively, but Burrow still has his two top targets, All and a running back to throw to. If the Bengals are able to run the ball effectively, and the Ravens defense starts to creep up, we’ll see Chase and Higgins singled up against Humphrey, Stephens or the rookie, Wiggins.
The Bengals offense is talented enough to win in multiple ways. If Joe Burrow sees he’s got one of the top receivers in the league in single coverage, though, expect to see fireworks.
Frank Pollack and the running game vs. Ravens defensive front
Remember when I said the Bengals have played the most 12-personnel in the league recently? Well, last week, they ran the ball 31 times, which was even with Burrow’s 31 passing attempts. It’s clear Zac Taylor and Dan Pitcher aren’t afraid to let their franchise quarterback hand the ball off. After all, they have built a solid offensive line, and both All and Sample have been good blockers so far.
The issue is the Ravens haven’t just gained the most yards on the ground offensively, but they’ve given up the least so far this season as well. They’ve only given up an astounding average of three yards per carry through Week 4.
The Bengals have had one of the most efficient rushing offenses in the league, but pounding the rock against this Baltimore defensive front is going to be tough. Luckily, the secondary is matched up against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, throwing to the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, so the Ravens can’t commit their secondary to the run game.
Pollack and his glass eaters could turn the tables on a tough Ravens defensive front, especially with as explosive Chase Brown has shown he can be.
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What matchups will you be keeping an eye on?
