Ravens vs. Bengals: 5 matchups to watch when Baltimore is on offense 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 five matchups to watch when the Ravens are on offense.

Gus Edwards/Justice Hill vs. Germaine Pratt/Logan Wilson

Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 0450

Gus Edwards and Justice Hill will get elevated roles in the Baltimore Ravens’ backfield, and they’ll face a Cincinnati linebacker group that combined for 19 stops in Week 1 at Cleveland, with Pratt adding in a sack while also forcing a fumble that ended a Browns drive.

Ravens Sam Mustipher vs. Bengals D.J. Reader

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Zach Carter (95) and Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) and the Cincinnati Bengals defense walk up to the line of scrimmage for a snap in the third quarter of an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.

Bengals nose tackle D.J. Reader is a dominant player, and he’ll face a Ravens team without starting cetner Tyler Linderbaum, who out with an ankle sprain, that task will likely fall largely on Sam Mustipher.

Odell Beckham vs. CB Chidobe Awuzie

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Awuzie played 43 defensive snaps in his first game since sustaining a season-ending knee injury last Halloween, and he’ll have a key matchup at cornerback against Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman.

TE Mark Andrews vs. Bengals S Nick Scott/Dax Hill

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) hits Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) in the second quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Scott tied Germain Pratt for the team lead in tackles last week and he’ll team with Dax Hill to help contain tight end Mark Andrews, who’ll be making his season debut.

WR Zay Flowers vs. Slot CB Mike Hilton

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The rookie had 9 catches in the season opener, while putting his explosive playmaking ability on display.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken could look to put Flowers on Mike Hilton in the slot.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson vs. Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo

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The Ravens will be without J.K. Dobbins who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in the season opener.

In Week 1 against Houston, it was a balanced offensive attack led by quarterback Lamar Jackson’s 38 rushing yards on six attempts (6.3 per carry).

In 2022, Baltimore ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards per game (160.0), and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo could be better served making Jackson beat him through the air.

The Bengals have ranked in the top seven in the NFL in rushing defense in each of the past two seasons and he’ll need to contain an explosive Ravens offense.