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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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glenn erby

Ravens vs. Bengals: 4 matchups to watch when Baltimore is on defense in Week 2

The Ravens and Bengals are just 24 hours away from their first season meeting on Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense will look to get back on track after just 82-yards passing in Week 1 during a loss to the Browns.

They’ll look to continue improving offensively in Baltimore under first-year coordinator Todd Monken.

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With preparation for Week 2 now complete, here are four matchups to watch when the Ravens are on defense.

Mike MacDonald vs. QB Joe Burrow

Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 595

In 2021, Joe Burrow logged 941 passing yards and seven touchdowns in two games against Baltmore’s defense.

New defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald is all about mixing up the fronts and blitzes, while taking away deep passing routes.

The Bengals won two of three last year, but Burrow was limited to just three total touchdown passes, averaged 214 passing yards per game and 6.2 yards per attempt, and was sacked eight times.

Ravens OLB Odafe Oweh vs. Bengals LT Orlando Brown

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Oweh didn’t get a sack last week, but he had three tackles, three quarterback hits and was credited with seven pressures.

He’ll have a gigantic matchup against former Ravens top pick Orlando Brown Jr.

Ravens secondary vs. Bengals' passing attack

Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 0288

The Ravens secondary is not at full strength and they’ll face a Bengals offense that’s angry after an embarrassing Week 1 showing.

In five regular-season starts against Baltimore, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow has averaged 311.2 passing yards, while tossing nine touchdown passes.

The Bengals skill group is led by Ja’Marr Chase, whose 115.5 receiving yards per game are the most by any player ever versus the Ravens (minimum four games played).

Patrick Queen/Roquan Smith vs. Joe Mixon

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Queen and Smith both logged 10+ tackles and a sack in Week 1, and they’ll be responsible for containing Bengals talented running back Joe Mixon in the running game, and talented TE Irv Smith Jr., in the passin game.

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