Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals: Three Things We Learned

3 of 4

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 13: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field for the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-23. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

Baltimore had no answer to stop A.J. Green

Both A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd are now known as the “Ravens killers” as they have had trouble stopping Green historically and Boyd ended the Ravens playoff hopes last season. The Bengals had a great game plan going in. attacking the slot position and Tavon Young.

Physically, Green had the easy advantage as he scored his touchdowns in the inside twice and then once to Marlon Humphrey on the outside. Boyd was also having an easy time in the slot getting open as the Ravens secondary just broke down in this game.

More from NFL Mocks

Green and Boyd totaled for 11 catches, 160 receiving yards, and four touchdowns combined.

Eric Weddle and Humphrey had their chance to make the play to stop the Bengals passing attack but they could not make a play, highlighting the loss of Jimmy Smith. Tight ends Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah attacked the middle of the field with Mosely gone and the Ravens historically have a chance in any game if they force turnovers. They were simply outplayed in this game to make any.

For the Ravens pass catchers, John Brown was the real bright spot at wide receiver in this game as he had a tight touchdown catch and a clutch catch downfield on third down. Willie Snead and Michael Crabtree had decent stat lines but struggled to separate against the Bengals cornerbacks William Jackson and Dre Kirkpatrick.

The Bengals safeties were every in this game as rookie Jessie Bates had a pick on Flacco’s errant pass and Shawn Williams had a pick and a sacked forced fumble on a key down on Flacco where he was going to throw deep.

Home/NFL News