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3 Baltimore Ravens players who need to step up against the Bengals

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

Who needs to have a good game for the Bengals to win? Here are three players who have to step up.

1. Alex Collins

The Baltimore Ravens running game has to be productive no matter who lines up as the quarterback. If Joe Flacco plays, it will be a game time decision. Flacco is dealing with a significant hip injury and he can’t be asked to do it all. If Lamar Jackson starts the game the Ravens will want to have a run heavy offense to help the rookie quarterback. Alex Collins has to step up and there is no getting around it.

Collins has a lot to prove as he is having a disappointing year. The Ravens brought in Ty Montgomery, but Collins is still the best overall running back they have. Collins is the player with the ability to break big runs. He hasn’t shown that ability much this season, but it was his big runs from the 2017 season that got people hoping that Collins was the Ravens answer at running back.

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The Ravens can’t win this game without some balance on offense. They have to at least try to run the football. If they can’t get anything but the proverbial three yards and a cloud of dust, it will be a long day for the offense. Now the offensive line plays a role in this, but Collins needs to make something happen. He needs to have an iron clad determination to break a big run or two in this game. If he doesn’t it will be a tough game to win.

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