Baltimore Ravens: 3 things we learned against Bengals
By Andrew Kim
The Bengals Offense needs A.J. Green back as Joe Mixon Struggles
The Bengals trusting Cody Core on a key 4th down shows why A.J. Green is missed in the Bengals passing game. On that play, Andy Dalton threw a good enough pass but it was just broken up by an extra effort by Marlon Humphery.
Tyler Boyd had caught a few passes prior to that play so the Ravens knew to double team him, letting the Bengals rely on unproven talent to continue that drive. The Cincinnati passing attack has taken a huge hit with A.J. Green gone, as Boyd has struggled with the extra attention to him.
The last two weeks Green has been out, the Bengals top wide receiver against the Saints and the Ravens has been Boyd, but was held to 65 yards in week 10 and 71 yards this week with four catches or less in both games.
John Ross did step up with a clutch touchdown catch but Dalton is limited without Green. The absence of Green also made it harder for the Bengals to run the ball as the Ravens honed in on stopping Joe Mixon.
Mixon did not get that many carries as the Ravens run defense contained him as they were in man to man coverage most of the time. Even though the Ravens recorded only one combined sack, they did get enough pressure at times to fluster Dalton. Mixon had 12 carries for only 14 yards but had the lone touchdown that kept the Bengals in this game.
Green potentially coming back next week coming from a toe injury will open up the offense overall as they will play the Cleveland Browns at home for the first time this season.