The Sports Xchange

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-2)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein

*Keys to the game: Bengals QB Andy Dalton has leaned on the healthy return of TE Tyler Eifert to spread the ball around to a slew of targets as he has compiled a 120.3 passer rating with five touchdown passes through two games. He’s also added by a backfield duo of physical Jeremy Hill and versatile big-play threat Giovani Bernard. The Ravens suffered through several assignment breakdowns and missed tackles in Oakland last week – their first game without OLB Terrell Suggs. Priority No. 1 is containing Hill and Bernard and creating long passing downs, but Dalton can pick apart an overmatched secondary unless Baltimore discovers a pass rush that was severely lacking against Raiders QB Derek Carr (30-for-46 yards for 351 yards and three touchdowns).

AFC North battles are rarely cakewalks, and Ravens QB Joe Flacco has 13 touchdown passes against 18 interceptions in 14 career meetings. He also lacks a vertical threat to stretch the field and keep the Bengals’ secondary honest. Flacco was able to chew up yards between the 20s in Oakland, but Baltimore has scored touchdowns on just two of seven red-zone trips through two close losses. After trailing early in both games, the Ravens would like to get RB Justin Forsett (111 yards on 29 carries) untracked earlier and use the ground game to help protect the wavering defense.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith: Many have attempted to classify Smith as one of the best young cover men in the game. For that to become reality, he has to be more consistent against the elite receivers such as Green. Smith was solid in the opener, but was beat by impressive Raiders rookie WR Amari Cooper for a 68-yard score.

*Player spotlight – Ravens TE Crockett Gillmore: Much was expected of rookie second-round pick Maxx Williams, a good receiving tight end out of Minnesota, but Gillmore took control of the starting job early in training camp and made a fantasy name for himself with a pair of touchdown grabs last week as his role in the offense continues to expand.

*Fast facts: Green has a touchdown reception in each of the past three meetings. … Ravens WR Steve Smith last week become the fourth-oldest player in NFL history to post a 150-yard receiving game.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Ravens lost a defensive battle in Denver and a sloppy slugfest in Oakland. To avoid the first 0-3 start in franchise history against what coach John Harbaugh called the “most talented” team in the league, the Ravens come up with the upset thanks to a veteran team already in desperation mode and sporting a 45-11 home record under Harbaugh.

*Our pick: Ravens 20-19.