Ravens vs Bengals Week 2 Preview
Photo Credit: Baltimore Ravens
In Week 1, the Baltimore Ravens were able to take care of business against the Houston Texans and rookie QB CJ Stroud by playing well defensively from the start of the game and limiting the Texans. Baltimore would go on to win the game comfortably, with a score of 25-9. Houston was never able to get much going against the Ravens defense, which helped to start the Ravens offensive possessions with solid field position on numerous occasions where they were able to punch in three rushing touchdowns all of those coming from running backs (two from Justice Hill and one from JK Dobbins).
In Week 2, the Ravens and their offense will likely have to be more of factor this week against the Bengals who just got beat 24-3 by the Cleveland Browns in week 1 and are looking to put forth a bounce back performance. While the production of the running game was a bright spot, Dobbins did suffer a season ending Achilles tendon rupture in the game.
Baltimore will look to get more of the same from rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers who also impressed week one in his rookie debut, hauling in 9 receptions for 78 yards, showing why the Ravens drafted him in the first round. Tight end Mark Andrews also appears to be on track to return this week which will no doubt help to bolster the Ravens passing attack moving forward. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and company should be just fine in week 2 and moving forward as they continue to figure things out with their new offensive coordinator if they can avoid the injury bug hitting them any harder than it already has.
Photo Credit: Andy Lyons, Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Cleveland Browns on the road in Week 1 by a score of 24-3. This was a performance the Bengals collectively would like to just bury the tape and move forward like it never happened. The Bengals were only able to squeeze six first downs the entire game against the Browns. 142 total yards of offense, 75 of those coming on the ground (56 from RB Joe Mixon) the offense was just never able to get anything going on this rainy Sunday in Cleveland.
QB Joe Burrow talked post game about how he isn’t panicking after the teams poor week one performance. I agree, there isn’t anything to worry about for Bengals fans, the offense will look better this week even though they face another divisional match-up in the Baltimore Ravens and Jackson.
The Bengals will have to have a better passing attack in week two, it is hard to envision WR Tee Higgins being targeted eight times and not reigning in one reception again. WR Ja’Marr Chase was held in check as well, only going for 39 yards which was good for over half of their teams receiving yards on 5 receptions. Franchise QB Burrow fresh off of signing a record setting $275 million extension, was under stress a lot of the game courtesy of the Browns defensive pressure and ultimately was just 14/31 throwing the football for 82 yards.
A better overall performance from this elite offensive group in Cincinnati is to be expected all the way around this Sunday in their home opener, shaping up for a great divisional match-up as the two favorites to win the division battle a top the AFC North as Jackson and the Ravens offense also look forward to putting forth an even better showing this Sunday against their division rival.
