OWINGS MILLS White Joe Flacco Jersey , Md. (AP) — The NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2018 will have a decidedly different look next season.With unrestricted free agent linebackers C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith headed elsewhere after the release last week of safety Eric Weddle, the Baltimore Ravens lost four key contributors from a unit that yielded a league-low 292.9 yards per game.Mosley, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, departed Baltimore after the Ravens abandoned hope of matching the reported five-year, $85 million bid of the New York Jets.“The Jets just made such a powerful offer that as an organization it just didn’t make sense for us,” first-year general manager Eric DeCosta said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “We love C.J. and everything he brings to this club, but we’ve also got to build the best team we can. These are hard decisions we have to make.”The 26-year-old Mosley led the team in tackles in 2014 and 2017. He had at least 100 tackles in every season except 2016, when he finished with 92 after missing two games with an injury.DeCosta wanted to keep Mosley, but couldn’t afford him.“We stretched our budget, and we thought we made a compelling offer to him,” DeCosta said.When the NFL formally begins a new year Wednesday, Mosley will join the Jets; Smith will receive a four-year, $66 million with the Packers; and Suggs, the Ravens’ career sacks leader Hayden Hurst Jersey 2019 , will launch the next chapter of his lengthy career in Arizona with the Cardinals. Weddle has already signed with the Los Angeles Rams.In addition, the pending trade of quarterback Joe Flacco to Denver will be completed and unrestricted free agent receiver John Brown will join the Bills.That leaves the Ravens, who broke a three-year hiatus from the playoffs in 2018, without several familiar faces.“It’s an opportunity for us to get younger,” DeCosta said.There wasn’t much choice, given the large sum of money opposing teams waved at Baltimore’s most notable unrestricted free agents.“Unfortunately for us, the market is irrational at times and we can’t be held responsible for what other teams want to pay,” DeCosta said. “All we can do is try to negotiate in good faith with agents and the players.”It will be up to DeCosta to rebuild a defense that last season allowed 17.9 points per game, second lowest behind Chicago.“We see good young players leave us every year,” DeCosta said. “We’ve tried to adjust over time, but I think now is a great opportunity for us to become financially responsible, to get control over the salary cap to understand the concept of right player, right price.”The good news is, quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t be due a new contract for quite a while.“The cap goes up every year, and we’re in a unique position because we have a quarterback who’s in his rookie contract White Hayden Hurst Jersey ,” DeCosta said. “We’ve been able to free up some cap room. We’re trying to be as flexible as we can.”Prior to free agency, DeCosta gave nickel cornerback Tavon Young an extension and signed tight end Nick Boyle, an unrestricted free agent, to a three-year contract.DeCosta’s predecessor, Ozzie Newsome, held the post since the Ravens’ arrival from Cleveland in 1996. It’s been a whirlwind start for DeCosta, who still has plenty of time to fill out the roster.“We’re just starting out this offseason,” he said. “As Ozzie used to say, ‘We don’t have to play games in March and April. We don’t play until September.’ I believe we’ll have a good, competitive, hard-nosed typical Ravens team on the field when we start.” Baltimore Ravens (5-5)The Ravens snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Bengals last week in Lamar Jackson’s first start. Baltimore now faces the struggling 2-8 Oakland Raiders.With quarterback Joe Flacco set to miss another game, Jackson will receive his second start. After facing the 32nd ranked total defense last week, Jackson will now face the 31st. Jackson rushed for 116 yards on 26 carries against Cincinnati while only passing for 150 yards. Expect offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to expand the playbook for Jackson against Oakland. On defense, Baltimore will have to find a way to cover tight end Jared Cook. The Ravens biggest weakness defensively is their inability to cover tight ends, and Cook is one of the best in the league at his position. C.J. Mosley or Tony Jefferson will have to step up to take him away in the passing game. The Ravens pass rush will have to take advantage of the Raiders inexperience at offensive tackle by putting the heat on quarterback Derek Carr as well.Baltimore will remain in possession of the sixth seed in the playoff race by improving to 6-5 with a win over Oakland. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)After falling to a division rival last week Justin Tucker Jersey 2019 , Cincinnati will face another division rival when the Browns come to town. The Bengals remain in playoff contention despite losing four out of their last five games. Cleveland is fresh off of a bye week after their big win against the Atlanta Falcons, so Cincinnati must remain cautious. The Bengals 32nd ranked defense will be facing the Browns 17th ranked offense led by Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had an impressive three touchdown performance against the Falcons, and rookie running back Nick Chubb has emerged as Cleveland’s go-to guy at the position with 579 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the season.Wide receiver A.J. Green will likely miss another game this Sunday, leaving Tyler Boyd as Andy Dalton’s top target once again. Boyd recorded 71 receiving yards and four catches against the Ravens last week. Establishing the run game is critical for Cincinnati’s offense to find rhythm. Running back Joe Mixon was held to a mere 14 yards on 12 carries against Baltimore. Finding success on the ground will help to slow the Browns pass rush, led by Myles Garrett. Improving to 6-5 keeps the Bengals in the hunt for the sixth seed into the playoffs.Cleveland Browns (3-6-1)After a big win and a bye week, Cleveland will travel to Cincinnati for an AFC North matchup.The Browns are looking to continue their momentum following their upset win over Atlanta. Mayfield had a near flawless performance against the Falcons, throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. Mayfield can build off of that performance against the Bengals last place defense. Keeping Cincinnati's pass rush at bay will be key to exploiting their 31st ranked secondary. With Green listed as doubtful to play today, Cleveland’s defense must shift their focus to Mixon and Boyd. Although Mixon is coming off of a down game, he has been a major weapon for the Bengals offense on the ground and in the passing game this season. The Browns defense must make Cincinnati one dimensional on offense by containing Mixon. Expect Cleveland to double cover Boyd as well.The Browns have a chance to spoil the Bengals postseason hopes with a win this afternoon.Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2-1)The Steelers are on a six-game winning streak and will look to continue it against the 4-6 Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh fought back against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, and the Steelers were able to find a way to win despite Ben Roethlisberger throwing three interceptions. Pittsburgh will face a less talented defense this week, so Roethlisberger will have the chance for a bounce back performance. Running back James Conner needs to rebound as well after a 25-yard rushing performance in Week 11. The Steelers were gashed on the ground for 179 total rushing yards by Jacksonville. They will face another talented running back this week in Philip Lindsay. Lindsay, an undrafted rookie, has rushed for 670 yards and five touchdowns this season. Stopping the run game will give Pittsburgh’s pass rush the best chance of getting to quarterback Case Keenum and forcing him to make mistakes. Improving to 8-2-1 would all but assure the division title for the Steelers.