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Pass Rush Will Be Key for Ravens Vs. Joe Burrow & Bengals

Baltimore Ravens need to get sacks against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Todd Karpovich|
Pass Rush Will Be Key for Ravens Vs. Joe Burrow & Bengals
Pass Rush Will Be Key for Ravens Vs. Joe Burrow & Bengals

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Baltimore RavensCincinnati Bengals

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens won both of their games this season when they recorded three sacks.

They lost two others when they managed just one sack.

This pass rush will be critical when facing Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been sacked 16 times, tied for third in the NFL.

"If you look at when they’ve won ball games versus when they lost, the pressure was the key, and not just pressure, but getting to [Joe Burrow], getting the ball off of him," Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell said. "That’s why the one thing I feel like we have to really do a good job of is taking advantage of turnovers when they’re there, especially in the pocket. We have to be really, really great with the pass rush lanes and rush together as a unit and go out there and really wreak havoc.” 

Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh recorded his first sack of the season last week against the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens hope that Oweh can continue to boost that production.

However, the pass rush has taken a hit without Justin Houston, who leads the team with two sacks and has been hampered by a groin injury. If Houston cannot play, newly signed Jason Pierre-Paul and Brandon Copelan (one sack) will get more reps. 

Burrow played two of his finest games against the Ravens, throwing for 941 yards with seven touchdowns last season.

If the Ravens don't bring the pressure, he has the potential to pick them apart again.

“He’s the same guy; obviously he’s an AFC championship quarterback," coach John Harbaugh said. "They do what they do with him so well. They built the offense really well around what he does well. It’s not just getting the ball out quick and on time, it’s not just reading coverage; he can hold the ball, he can move in the pocket – they do the play-action stuff as well – he’s tough to get down in the pocket. 

"All those things are kind of staples to his game, and I see him doing it just like he’s been doing it.”

 

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Todd Karpovich
TODD KARPOVICH

Twitter: @toddkarpovich Email: todd.karpovich@gmail.com Skype: todd.karpovich Todd Karpovich has been a contributor for ESPN, Forbes, the Associated Press, Lindy's, and The Baltimore Sun, among other media outlets nationwide. He is the co-author of “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Baltimore Ravens Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box,” “Skipper Supreme: Buck Showalter and the Baltimore Orioles,” and the author of “Manchester United (Europe's Best Soccer Clubs).” Karpovich, a Baltimore native, is a graduate of Calvert Hall College high school, Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, and has a Masters of Science from Towson University. 

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