With an AFC North title and a first-round bye staring them right in the face, the Ravens have the clear task of beating the Cincinnati Bengals to realize those possibilities.
It won’t be easy, however, as the Ravens are a banged-up group facing the sixth-ranked defense in the NFL and trying to win a game at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time since 2008.
The Ravens hold a 17-14 edge in the all-time series and are 6-9 playing in Cincinnati. They will be dressed in their white jerseys and black pants while the Bengals will go with their all-black alternate look on Sunday afternoon.
Despite being listed as doubtful with rib and thigh contusions, Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda is active and will play. The fifth-year lineman practiced on a limited basis on Friday, saying he needed to get back on the field to give himself any chance of playing against the Bengals.
Billy Cundiff will resume kicking duties for the Ravens as veteran Shayne Graham is inactive, a sign that they feel totally confident that Cundiff’s left call is at or close to 100 percent. With high winds expected to impact the game, Baltimore is pleased to have Cundiff’s stronger leg back in the lineup.
Cornerback Cary Williams is also active, meaning he was cleared for contact over the weekend as the Ravens anticipated happening. He will start opposite Lardarius Webb while rookie Jimmy Smith will see action in the nickel package.
With Anquan Boldin inactive as he continues to recover from knee surgery, both Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams are active and will likely see some action at wide receiver. Veteran Lee Evans will take Boldin’s place in the starting lineup for the second straight week.
Here are today’s inactives …
Baltimore
K Shayne Graham
WR Anquan Boldin
RB Anthony Allen
CB Danny Gorrer
OT D.J. Jones
LB Sergio Kindle
LB Dannell Ellerbe
Cincinnati
S Taylor Mays
LB Dontay Moch
WR Armon Binns
TE Colin Cochart
DT Nick Hayden
G Otis Hudson
S Robert Sands
