Baltimore at Cincinnati: 5 Things to Know

Will A.J. Green play?

On Friday, the Cincinnati Bengals listed wide receiver A.J. Green as doubtful on the team’s injury report. On Saturday, the Bengals listed Green as questionable. The Bengals pass offense has been atrocious with Green out of the lineup. If Green does not play, the Bengals’ chances of winning are very low. The Bengals won’t be able to stretch the field, making the Ravens secondary’s job substantially easier, which would make Cincinnati’s air game produce dismally.

Mohamed Sanu is under a lot of pressure

Whether or not Green plays on Sunday, Bengals wideout Mohamed Sanu is pressured with pulling through with a great game. Last week, Sanu dropped several passes, rendering him irrelevant for most of the game. Sanu must make plays against the Ravens if the Bengals are going to amount any kind of offense.

The Bengals run defense is pitiful

The Bengals rank 31^st in the NFL in run defense. In the Ravens’ first duel of the year against the Bengals, Ravens running back Justin Forsett totaled 63 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 carries. It is to be expected that the Ravens will run the ball a great amount against the Bengals.

Owen Daniels slated for big game

The Bengals defense has difficulty defending tight ends. Last week, the Bengals gave up over 100 receiving yards to Colts tight ends. Ravens wide receivers Torrey Smith and Steve Smith are big enough concerns for the Bengals, but tight end Owen Daniels is a great threat in the redzone.

Geno Atkins is trying to regain his dominant form

Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins tore his ACL last year and hasn’t played up to his All-Pro form since then. Atkins has been noticeably less explosive this season; he is having trouble shedding blocks. In his first three seasons in the league, which was 2011-2013, Atkins amassed 26 sacks. He has yet to record a single sack this season. If Atkins can go back to playing as well as he did prior to the ACL tear, the Bengals defense would improve tremendously.