Flacco game-time decision against Bengals
Availability of QB Flacco unknown
The Baltimore Ravens could have a new look in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who also made some drastic changes to their team.
Rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson will likely make his first start at quarterback for Baltimore if Joe Flacco cannot play because of a right hip injury.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and will assume those duties. The Bengals are allowing the most yards per game (456.5) in the NFL.
Lewis also hired former Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson as a special assistant. The Bengals will be playing without their top playmaking receiver, A.J. Green, because of a foot injury.
The Ravens (4-5) are essentially playing a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are also looking to avenge a 34-23 loss to the Bengals in Week 2.
“Let’s go play the game,” Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said. “They took care of us last time, and that’s the good thing about this division – you get to play each team twice.”
Flacco sustained the hip injury in the first quarter against Pittsburgh in Week 9. He was visibly hampered but played the entire game, completing 23 of 27 passes for 209 yards.
The Ravens players declined to comment on how their approach will change if Flacco is unavailable.
“Obviously, the whole injury thing, John (Harbaugh) addresses the injuries, so I’m not going to talk about the injuries,” right guard Marshal Yanda said. “We’re preparing for Cincinnati, 110 percent, and just preparing to play good football.”
Each of the past five games between the Ravens and Bengals has been decided by one score at M&T Bank Stadium. This game is shaping up to be no different.
The Ravens also will not prepare much differently with Lewis leading the Bengals’ defense.
“I think their defense is in place; they have the players that they have,” Harbaugh said. “We know the players; we know the scheme. We wouldn’t expect any dramatic changes in the scheme. Coach Lewis is a defensive coach, so he’s always had his imprints on the defense. We expect them to stay within his philosophy, and we’ll just have to see what we get on Sunday and play against it.”
The Raven need to go at least 5-2 the rest of the way to have a shot at the postseason. Baltimore currently sits behind the Bengals (5-4), Titans (5-4) and Dolphins (5-4) for the second wild-card position.
The Ravens players are trying to avoid any outside distractions and completely focus on Cincinnati.
“Everybody understands that we can fight our tails off and be relevant at the end of the year,” Yanda said. “But, we’re not looking anywhere past Cincinnati. Everybody has a good attitude. Everybody is working hard and preparing, and yes, that’s definitely not our focus. We feel like we can get this thing turned around and get it rolling.”
SERIES HISTORY: 46th regular-season meeting. Bengals lead series, 23-22. In Week 2, the Ravens lost at Cincinnati, 34-23, playing on a Thursday night. After trailing 21-0 and 28-7 in the first half, Baltimore battled back within five points (28-23) in the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback. QB Joe Flacco was 32-of-55 for 376 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while being sacked four times. Bengals QB Andy Dalton was 24 of 42 for 265 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Receiver A.J. Green caught three touchdown passes, while Tyler Boyd hauled in the other. Baltimore outgained the Bengals 425 to 373 in total yardage.
