Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: TNF bullet points

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 9: Terrell Suggs #55 and Brandon Williams #98 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a sack in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 9: Terrell Suggs #55 and Brandon Williams #98 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a sack in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Ravens appear on prime-time for the first time in the 2018 season. Here are some important bullet points to know headed into the game:

  • The Ravens all-time record against the Bengals is tied at 22-wins a piece for the two teams.

    • As we all know, the last time these two teams met resulted in one of the most heartbreaking losses in team history. You bet your bandanna this game has been circled on the calendar ever since then for the Ravens!

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    Baltimore seems to be intent on getting Lamar Jackson involved in the offense consistently, mixing up packages and setting him up for success. This is a facet the Ravens offense has never had before and could turn the tables on Cincinnati Thursday night.

    While Andy Dalton was certainly sharp in his 2018 debut for the Bengals, there were very few performances throughout the league that out-shined what Joe Flacco did to the Bills on Sunday afternoon.

    Speaking of Flacco, the team opted to pull him roughly five minutes into the third quarter because of the butt-kicking the Ravens were giving the Bills. A number of other starters were also pulled, which means the team is more rested than most other teams are heading into TNF. This could wind up being a huge advantage for Baltimore.

    With Kenneth Dixon hitting Injured Reserve this week, a larger focus will be placed on both Alex Collins and Javorius Allen to step their games up. This rings especially true for Collins, who was utterly disappointing in his 2018 debut.

  • Bengals running back Joe Mixon was underwhelming his rookie season, but came on strong down the stretch, including a 96 rushing yards game against Baltimore to end the season. Mixon had a strong start to 2018 and shutting him down is a must.
  • Above all else, the Ravens need to find a solution to stopping A.J. Green. Right now, the team’s best option is Marlon Humphrey, but the infamous “Raven Killer” continues to put the fear of God into Ravens Flock.

    • A new, more aggressive approach on the defensive side of the ball by Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale could prove to be a massive factor that could ultimately decide the game for Baltimore.

  • Baltimore is starting to get some major love from the national media, and it’s hard not to after the 47-3 butt-kicking the team gave to the Bills. Peter Schrager from NFL Network went as far as to explain how the Ravens can win Super Bowl LIII here.

    • Next. Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 3 predictions for Thursday night football. dark

    • The Bengals secondary doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses, but they will certainly provide a good test for Baltimore’s new wide receiving core. Michael Crabtree vs William Jackson III will be the best match-up of the night.
    • If the Ravens want to be taken seriously in 2018, then getting this win in Cincinnati on prime-time will be one of the most important tasks to accomplish this season. The fans are hungry for it, but the players have to be ready to kick the Bengals teeth in and taste that sweet, sweet revenge.
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