Keys to Victory: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday’s game between the Bengals and the Ravens is one of, if not the best game on the schedule this week. Cincinnati has a Goliath sized challenge on the road in Baltimore against a blazing team that has won five-straight games.
Here are three keys to victory with first place on the line:
Create Turnovers
Cincinnati’s defense must create turnovers because Baltimore’s offense is one of the most explosive in the league. Lamar Jackson, who is 5-0 against the Bengals in his career, has elevated his passing game in 2021 stretching defenses to the max in every way possible. Jackson’s crew ranked at the very bottom of the league in passing yards last year and so far his season, they’ve managed to elevate to 11th in the NFL averaging 266.5 passing yards per game. Even when Jackson’s stats are limited like they were last week (167 yards, 2 INT’s, 51 rush yards), the ground game is able to get the job done.
The team that creates more turnovers and produces points as a result will likely be the winner in this game.
Stop Ravens Rushing Attack
Running the ball is Baltimore’s bread and butter. This area of their game is so balanced that Cincinnati’s defense cannot afford to compromise their integrity versus the run. The Ravens average just over 155 rushing yards per game, but last week alone we saw them rack up 187 rushing yards on 38 carries with Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell scoring touchdowns en route to a 34-6 win over the AFC West leading Chargers.
Bengals must fast, aggressive, and find a way to contain this rushing attack, and get off of the field as soon as possible on Sunday. They don’t want to give Baltimore ample opportunities to torch them like the Ravens have done to other teams this year.
Convert on 3rd Down
The Ravens’ defensive line has a big goal on Sunday, and that goal is to brutalize Joe Burrow. The offensive line will need to play their best game of the season to stop that relentless attack on their quarterback.
Baltimore is top ten in sacks (tied for 9th) and QB hits (tied for 8th).
Cincinnati’s offensive line has given up 16 sacks so far this season, and they cannot allow many more in Sunday’s AFC North showdown. Protect him, and allow him to go to work and expose this defense.
Baltimore’s defense made waves last week when they held the Chargers to just six points and 208 total yards of offense. Los Angeles was also 3-for-12 on third down and 1-of-4 on fourth down. The Bengals cannot follow that trend if they want to win their fifth game of the year.
The Ravens defense has a swagger that is growing week-by-week, but Joe Burrow might have more swagger than Baltimore's entire defensive unit put together. He’ll be under a lot of pressure Sunday, but that is when he does his best work.
For more on this game, watch the video below.
Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
You May Also Like:
All Bengals Staff Makes Picks For Sunday's Game in Baltimore
Ravens DC Praises Ja'Marr Chase Ahead of Sunday's Game
Film Breakdown: Analyzing the Baltimore Ravens' Rushing Attack
Former NFL QB Compares Joe Burrow to NFL Legend
Bengals CB Mike Hilton: "Extend Jessie Bates"
Film Breakdown: The Bengals' Offense is Improving
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Makes One-Handed Catch, Plus Clips of Hakeem Adeniji
No, Logan Wilson Didn't Take a Shot at Lamar Jackson
Richard Sherman Offers Up Big-Time Praise for Ja'Marr Chase
Former NFL QB Breaks Down Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase Connection
Six Takeaways From the Bengals' Blowout Win in Detroit
Five Thoughts on the Bengals' Win Over the Lions
Joe Burrow Joins Dan Marino in Record Books
Three Down Look: Bengals Beat Lions In Detroit
Winners and Losers From the Bengals' Win Over the Lions
Postgame Observations: Bengals Beat Lions 34-11
Watch: Bengals Celebrate Big Win Over Lions
Watch: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Warmup
Bengals Announce Inactives For Week 6
Three Keys to Victory: Bengals at Lions
Key Matchups: Breaking Down Bengals at Lions
Week 6: All Bengals Staff Gives Predictions for Sunday's Game in Detroit
Assessing Tre Flowers' Role in the Secondary
Film Breakdown: How the Bengals' Offense Has Gotten Off to a Hot Start
Cincinnati Bengals Embrace "The Cart"
Bengals Clear Khalid Kareem, Defensive End Could Bolster Pass Rush
Aaron Rodgers Shares Key Advice With Joe Burrow
Bengals Make Big Leap in Power Rankings Following Loss to Packers
Bengals Place Trae Waynes on Injured Reserve, Sign Two Players to Practice Squad
Ja'Marr Chase on Historical Pace Through Five Games
-----
Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!
Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals