No. 4: Running Back Joe Mixon vs. Ravens Run Defense

Baltimore’s run defense wasn’t terribly tested against the Bills in Week 1, and the Ravens came away from the game averaging just 3.8 yards against on the ground. That changes in Week 2, however, as the Bengals look to get second-year pro running back Joe Mixon involved early and often in the contest.

Mixon was excellent in his 2018 debut, rushing for 95 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, while also hauling in five catches for 54 yards through the air.

All that was against a questionable Colts run defense, though, and one should figure the Ravens offer a much stiffer challenge to Mixon and the Bengals’ run-blocking efforts in Week 2. Entering 2018, Pro Football Focus ranked Baltimore’s run defenders No. 6 in the NFL, while the Colts came in at a lowly 29th.

Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams figures to be a major obstacle to Mixon’s efforts on the ground. Sure, the Bengals may want to get Mixon rushing to the outside and in space to avoid Williams being a factor. This should play into the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Mixon’s strengths, as his body type is ideal enough to overpower defensive backs and smaller linebackers trying to tackle in space.

For those in-between-the-tackle runs, however, it could be a rough go for Mixon on Thursday.