Ravens at Bengals: What to Look For
SQUATTERS: The Bengals will more than likely be without the services of AJ Green on Sunday and that allows defensive coordinator Dean Pees to take some chances that he otherwise might be less inclined to risk. Bengals QB Andy Dalton likes to get the ball out quickly and avoid the big hits. He connected with tight end Jermaine Gresham 10 times last week against the Colts for just 48 yards. Dink and dunk is the theme. Look for Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb to be in the faces of the Bengals receivers and for the Ravens linebackers to chip on Cincinnati’s TE’s.
FORCE FORSETT: Ravens tailback Justin Forsett had 70 yards and a score against the Bengals in the season opener on just 11 carries. Look for the Ravens to double up on that total and challenge the interior of the Bengals defense which has been struggling. Geno Atkins, so far in 2014, hasn’t been the same player and the big cats sorely miss Ray Maualuga.
BUTTERFINGERS: Had it not been for several dropped passes on Opening Day the outcome may have been different when these teams last met. Jacoby Jones has been phased out of the offense. That’s what happens when you have more drops than catches while Torrey Smith has picked up the pace and new contributors Kamar Aiken and Michael Campanaro have begun to step up. Reliability amongst the ball catchers will be better this time around but as John Lennon once replied to Paul McCartney, “it can’t get any worse.” Can it?
JUICE! With Owen Daniels out look for Kyle Juszczyk to have a bigger role in the passing game this week. He will challenge the Bengals linebackers and could represent a matchup problem for the defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Juice has been purposeful and decisive in limited opportunities – opportunities that will swell in the Queen City.
A-GAP: The Bengals, like the Colts in Indy, feasted on A-Gap pressure against the Ravens. Expect Joe Flacco to be more prepared for the green dog blitzes and the Ravens receivers ready to go hot. Steve Smith, Sr. could feast on slants and skinny posts.
NOTES
The Ravens opened as 2 ½ to 3 point underdogs in Cincinnati. The latest Vegas lines have them listed as 1 to 2 point favorites now. The AJ Green factor?… According to RSR’s capologist Brian McFarland, late last evening, Ray Rice’s grievance hit the Ravens’ Salary Cap. When a player files a grievance against the team, the CBA dictates that 40% of the amount claimed in the grievance shall be applied to the team’s Salary Cap, pending the outcome of the grievance. The Ravens’ Cap reduced from $5,545,087 to $4,133,322. More on the topic HERE.
PREDICTION
Ravens 27 Bengals 13
And this for Marvin Lewis & Co…
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