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The Baltimore Ravens offensive line is key against the Bengals

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens is intoduced before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens is intoduced before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens offensive line is key against the Cincinnati Bengals.

When you have to protect Joe Flacco from the likes of Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson you have your work cut out for you. That is the mission of the Baltimore Ravens offensive line in the season opener. Against a hostile Cincinnati crowd the offensive line has to take care of their business.

The offensive line has gone through turmoil this preseason. John Urschel retired and the Ravens lost two guards (Nico Siragusa, Alex Lewis) for the season. Ronnie Stanley had been dealing with an injury as well, but he is good to go for the start of the season. The Ravens brought in Austin Howard. The presumable starter at right tackle is just starting to get healthy himself.

It looks like the offensive line is set, for better or for worse. Stanley is the left tackle, James Hurst is the left guard. The Ravens made some moves at the center position, but Ryan Jensen is still the projected starter. Marshall Yanda will be the right guard and Howard is the right tackle.

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The most important thing for the Ravens is to not get blown up in the A gaps. Hurst is playing at guard, and he doesn’t have a stellar reputation as a pass protector. Many of his problems with speed off the edge are taken care of by putting him at guard. If I was Paul Guenther. I would attack Hurst ruthlessly with my defense. This could force Jensen to over-help Hurst. That would mean the Bengals could get pressure right up the middle, like nothing.

The Bottom Line

The Ravens offensive line is only as strong as its weakest link. Hurst, who has played decently at guard, needs to prove that he can handle the job. If he does, the offensive line is pretty sturdy. This version of the offensive line surely has more weight than the 2016 line did.

The Ravens need to run the ball and keep Joe Flacco out of harms way. This is the kind of game where the offense needs to not beat itself. The defense can carry home a win, but Flacco getting sacked won’t help. Fumbles and interceptions won’t help either. The offensive line is responsible for avoiding a lot of bad plays.

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The Baltimore Ravens offensive line has a chance to surprise some people. The key, other than staying healthy from this point on, is for each offensive linemen to do their jobs. It’s as simple as that. The Ravens know Stanley and Yanda are up for the challenge. They have to find out about the rest of the offensive line. When the Ravens leave Cincinnati, they will have some answers.

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