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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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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Flacco
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Flacco /

Joe Flacco

Probably the most important and obvious person who has to have a good game in order to win is quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco missed training camp and preseason with a back injury. It’s unknown the extent of his injury, but nonetheless, Flacco is back practicing now. By the time he faces the Bengals he will have had a week of preparation with the offense.

In an ideal world, Joe Flacco would have had all of training camp and the preseason to work with newly acquired wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back, Danny Woodhead, as well as work with the new center, Ryan Jensen. We do not live in an ideal world though so Flacco will have to cram as much in with these players and the offense as he can in the week before the game. Nobody knows if Flacco’s back will still bother him come game time, and this worries many fans. To have a shot at winning the Ravens absolutely must have their franchise quarterback under center.

The Bengals will be without two of their best defensive players in Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict. This is great news for Flacco. He should be able to take advantage of this and make the Bengals pay. Both teams have been hit with injuries/suspensions heading into this game, but that doesn’t give either team an excuse.

Next: Ravens vs. Bengals: 3 key matchups to watch

Joe Flacco must minimize mistakes against the Bengals. Not turning the ball over is probably more important than scoring touchdowns when you have a defense that should be as good as the Ravens look to be. Getting into range for Justin Tucker to kick a couple of field goals will go a long way if Flacco manages the ball well, and lets our defense do their thing. Let’s all hope Flacco isn’t too rusty and doesn’t take long to get acclimated with his new weapons.

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