Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Three Players To Watch

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce (30) gets tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Nick Moody (54) in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The regular season truly gets underway on Sunday, if you’re a Ravens fan.  The early matchup of Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals will be the third opening day game between these two teams since 2008.  And the Ravens won both of those previous meetings, 44-13 in 2012, and 17-10 in 2008.  In both matchups, certain players played a large role that ultimately led to the victories.

In 2008, Joe Flacco’s first NFL start, he sealed the win with a 38 yard touchdown run.  In 2012, he had a stellar game through the air.  Flacco completed 21 of 29 passes for 299 yards with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the romp. Ray Rice added a pair of touchdowns on the ground, and Ed Reed chipped in with a pick six on Andy Dalton.

So what players will play a key role in the season opener this Sunday?  We outline the players whose performances we think will be key in keeping the unbeaten streak alive, and tell you why they are so important.  Click on to see who they are and why they are so key.