PLAYER NOTES
–QB Joe Flacco (right hip) did not practice Wednesday and will be a “game-time decision” whether to start against the Bengals on Sunday. Flacco suffered the injury in the previous game against the Steelers. He was hurt in the first series but finished the game and completed 23 of 27 passes for 209 yards.
–LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday after missing the previous game against the Steelers. Stanley said he is “day-to-day” and uncertain whether he could play against the Bengals in Week 11.
–RT James Hurst (back) has missed three consecutive games and was held out of practice Wednesday. Hurst is a valuable lineman capable of playing multiple positions.
–LB Tim Williams is dealing with an ankle injury and was limited at practice Wednesday. He also missed the previous game against Pittsburgh with the same injury. The second-year player from Alabama has shown some strides this year as a pass rusher.
–S Tony Jefferson (thigh) was held out of practice Wednesday. He was also listed as questionable for the previous game against the Steelers with a hamstring injury but was able to play. If Jefferson cannot play, Anthony Levine could start in his place.
–CB Tavon Young was able to fully practice Wednesday after leaving the previous game against the Steelers with an ankle injury. Head coach John Harbaugh said the extra rest with the bye has helped Young, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RG Marshal Yanda. The six-time Pro Bowler has not been hampered from offseason shoulder surgery. Yanda should be rested and ready to go against Cincinnati after getting an extra week of rest after the bye. He will play a pivotal role anchoring the offensive line that has been hampered by injuries all season. The Bengals had four sacks in Week 2, so the Ravens need to do a better job with blocking in this critical meeting.
GAME PLAN: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is a game-time decision because of a sore hip. If he cannot play, Lamar Jackson could make his first career start and change the dynamic of the game. Jackson would run the read-option to avoid the pass rush, but he could struggle to throw the ball downfield against a Bengals secondary that has the league’s 30th-ranked pass defense. The biggest challenge for Baltimore will be containing Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who had two sacks in the earlier meeting. If Jackson does start, the Bengals will keep constant pressure on him to potentially force mistakes.
Cincinnati amassed 373 total yards against the Ravens in the first meeting. The Ravens caught a huge break with receiver A.J. Green being ruled out with a foot injury. However, Baltimore will have to do a better job containing running back Joe Mixon, who had 84 yards on 21 carries in the Week 2 matchup. Baltimore needs to keep quarterback Andy Dalton under constant pressure because he has shown that he can beat them downfield. The Ravens’ safeties, Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson, will provide more support to prevent Tyler Boyd from making long receptions downfield.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Ravens CBs Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr vs. Bengals WRs Tyler Boyd and John Ross. Humphrey has overcome a thigh injury and is playing like a top-tier cornerback in just his second year. Carr is a seasoned veteran who will likely be starting his 170th consecutive game. QB Andy Dalton will target both players for much of the night. Humphrey and Carr will get some extra support from safeties Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson. The Ravens secondary has faded over the last three games. Boyd had six receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 and will look to create matchup problems again.
–Ravens WRs Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead IV and John Brown vs. Bengals CBs Williams Jackson and Dre Kirkpatrick. Baltimore has more weapons on offense than in previous years, but this unit has failed to make plays over the past month. Crabtree, Snead and Brown have struggled to get open as opposing defenses have adjusted to the Ravens’ downfield schemes. Brown managed four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in the previous game against the Bengals. However, much of the passing attack hinges on whether quarterback Joe Flacco can play. Rookie Lamar Jackson is still a work in progress throwing the ball downfield. Jackson and Kirkpatrick are both vulnerable to big plays and will get extra support from safeties Shawn Williams and Jesse Bates.
