Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings: 3 key matchups

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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 27: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ryan Jensen #66 of the Baltimore Ravens shove one another after a play during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Ryan Jensen vs. Linval Joseph

This might be my favorite matchup to watch come Sunday. We’ve got center Ryan Jensen up against run-stuffer Linval Joseph. It’s a battle of two immovable forces and I’m excited to see these two go after it.

Jensen has been everything the Ravens could have hoped for in his first year as a starter. He’s been a top performing center through the first half of the season and a rock in the middle of the offensive line. Jensen plays nasty and has an attitude with his play. It’s exactly what you want from a guy playing in the trenches. Even his teammates can attest to it, Jensen is not a fun player to come up against. More times than not, you’ll see him getting heated with an opposing defensive player.

Watching Jensen come up against one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL is going to be a treat. There’s big, then there’s Linval Joseph. He’s 6-4, 328 pounds and one of the best at what he does. Joseph seems to penetrate any offensive with ease. He’s big, but quick for his size and knows how to stuff holes and get to the ball carrier. The glamorous stats might not always be there, but Joseph constantly demands double teams and that’ll be the same come Sunday.

Jensen has to get off the ball and get penetration or it’s going to be a rough day for the Ravens run game. These two will be going at it all game and it’ll be a fun matchup to watch. Don’t be surprised to see things get chippy early on.

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