NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 17 Preview: Bengals at Ravens

Denver, CO, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson (12) celebrates with wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 of the 2017 NFL season. PFF previews the top player matchups of the game.

PFFELO Ranking: 21

Coverage by: Lorin Cox

Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals offense vs. Baltimore Ravens defense

RB Giovanni Bernard Cincinnati Bengals

PFFELO Ranking: 13

Coverage by: Daniel Cohen

Matchup: Baltimore Ravens offense vs. Cincinnati Bengals defense

  • WR Mike Wallace vs. CB William Jackson – Wallace will have his hands full when he’s lined up against Jackson this week. Jackson has allowed completions on just 36.6 percent of targets this season, by far the lowest completion percentage allowed by a qualified cornerback. The next closest is Los Angeles Chargers CB Casey Hayward, who has allowed a completion percentage of 43.7 percent. Through Week 16, Wallace has caught 62.7 percent of his 75 targets. Wallace has been hot recently, however, as he’s graded above average in six straight games. His tough matchup against Jackson this week could break that streak.
  • C Ryan Jensen vs. DI Geno Atkins – Jensen’s run-blocking grade of 75.7 ranks seventh among centers this season, while Atkins’ run-defense grade of 85.4 ranks 21st among interior defenders. In the passing game, Atkins will also be a difficult assignment, as he has accumulated 66 total pressures this season, trailing only Los Angeles Rams DI Aaron Donald in pressures among interior defenders. Atkins has a good chance to dominate as a pass-rusher against the interior of the Ravens' offensive line, with just once interior offensive lineman having a pass-blocking grade above 70.0 (G James Hurst79.7).

C Ryan Jensen Baltimore Ravens

  • T Ronnie Stanley vs. Edge Michael Johnson – Stanley will take on Johnson this week, who has been the least efficient edge defender in the league this season (among edge defenders with at least 300 passing snaps). Johnson has just 21 pressures on 302 pass-rush snaps. Stanley has allowed at least two pressures in three straight games now but is a good bet to have a strong game against the inefficient Johnson. In the run game, Stanley has graded as the 20th-best tackle in run blocking (79.7 run-blocking grade) while Johnson has graded middle of the pack in run defense among edge defenders (76.3 run-defense grade).
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