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3 questions facing Ravens as they get set to host Cardinals

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first half of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first half of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a interception against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a interception against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens are about to host the Arizona Cardinals. Here are three questions facing the Ravens before the game:

1. Are the Ravens ready for a challenge?

The Baltimore Ravens are supposed to be better than the Arizona Cardinals. The Ravens won their season opener by the tune of 59-10. The Cardinals tied with a Lions team that isn’t projected to be a playoff team. The Ravens are facing a rookie quarterback at M&T Bank Stadium. Just about every pick from just about every pundit has the Ravens beating the Cardinals. It’s still so early in the season however and it’s hard to know how much we actually know about these two teams. The Ravens are coming off the most convincing win imaginable, yet it was against the worst team in the league. The Cardinals looked like two distinctly different teams last week. The Cardinals that got behind big time to the Lions, doesn’t seem like a scary opponent. The Cardinals team that roared back into the game kind of does.

The fact of the matter is that the purple and black haven’t even been remotely challenged. They have faced little to no adversity early in this season. They went through the preseason without playing against a single starting quarterback. Their opener was against Ryan Fitzpatrick and a little bit of Josh Rosen.

Related Story. Week 2 film study: What we know about the Cardinals. light

Rookie quarterback or not, Kyler Murray will be the first real test for the defense. Murray put up 308 yards in his first NFL game. Baltimore can’t take this game for granted. It should be a win, but Murray and the Cardinals have an offense that works when it is clicking.

John Harbaugh’s team is a week away from one of their toughest games as they play at Arrowhead Stadium in week 3. If the Ravens have two dominant wins in a row, the first time they face a real challenge it will be in Kansas City against the Chiefs. The Ravens want to win this game in convincing fashion, however winning a tough game would be valuable experience. One thing is for sure, the game will be tougher than the week 1 contest.  The Ravens have to show they are ready for stiffer competition.

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