Baltimore is returning to the scene of late-season heartbreak, and the last time the Ravens were in Paycor Stadium, Bengals left end Sam Hubbard delivered a knockout blow in a Wild Card win.
With the Ravens on the Bengals 1-yard line looking to break a 17-17 tie early in the fourth quarter, middle linebacker Logan Wilson punched the ball out of the hands of Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley.
Buy Ravens TicketsHubbard scooped up the fumble and returned it 99 yards for the winning score.
Lamar Jackson is back, and Baltimore has a loaded skill position group led by Odell Beckham, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are three keys for the Ravens’ offense.
Get Odell Beckham Jr. involved
Beckham logged the most snaps at the position, but finished behind Zay Flowers in Week 1 (two catches, 37 yards), and that has tochange as the offense continues to evolve under Todd Monken.
Beckham lit up Cincinnati in the Super Bowl LVI with two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown before tearing his ACL in the second quarter.
The talented wide receiver is healthy and a guy that has to be involved for Baltimore to be successful.
Protect Lamar Jackson
Whether it be the running game, or sliding protection, the Ravens must protect quarterback Lamar Jackson if they want to exit Cincinnati with a win.
Two of Baltimore’s best players, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), have ruled out.
Backups Patrick Mekari and Sam Mustipher will start at left tackle and center, and there will be adjustments made all the way around.
Cincinnati nose tackle DJ Reader is a load in the middle.
Look for the Bengals to blitz and pressure Jackson from his left all afternoon.
Mark Andrews dynamic
Baltimore will have its full compliment of receiving weapons on Sunday, with Mark Andrews returning to the lineup after missing the regular-season opener with a quad injury.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews (quad) is expected to be active today.
Andrews has totaled 50 catches for 606 yards receiving against the Bengals. Andrews’ receptions and receiving yards are more than double than what any other player has produced against Cincinnati since 2018. pic.twitter.com/9KJn0awff3
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 17, 2023
There are only so many opportunities to go around with Andrews being joined by Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and more to give Lamar Jackson the best receiving cast he’s ever had during his six years as a pro.
Andrews should open things up for the rest of the skill group and his production is much needed.
