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3 Baltimore Ravens vital to beating the Cincinnati Bengals

By Dustin Cox

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is hit by defensive end Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is hit by defensive end Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson /

It’s going to be tough for the Baltimore Ravens to march into Paul Brown Stadium this Sunday and defeat the Cincinnati Bengals. If certain key players have a good game though, then they could very well walk away with a win and start the season 1-0.

The Ravens are counting on several of their key players to lead this team to a win in week 1 against the Bengals. If any of these guys falter then the chances of winning could slip away. Let’s take a look at the top three Baltimore Ravens players who are key to winning this game.

Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith will be tasked with the challenge of guarding Bengals elite wide receiver A.J. Green. Green has made Baltimore pay several times in the past. The Ravens secondary is looking to be one of the best in the league this year though, and it all starts with cornerback Jimmy Smith. If Smith can contain Green’s explosiveness then the Ravens have already won half of the battle in my opinion.

My biggest concern is that Dean Pees won’t have Jimmy follow A.J. Green all game. This could leave Green with some favorable match ups for him against someone like CB Brandon Carr. Smith is currently the only corner on our roster who has a chance of putting a lid on A.J. Green.

Jimmy now has two great safeties on the field with him in veteran Eric Weddle and newly acquired Tony Jefferson. This should definitely help to eliminate big plays down the field from Green. Jimmy Smith has the ability to shut down elite receivers. Can he do it to the Raven killer A.j. Green though? Let’s all hope so.

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