A.J. Green Injury: Rookie WR Will Lead Bengals into Postseason vs. Ravens

There have been plenty of surprises in the NFL this season, but none more so than the Cincinnati Bengals. One reason they are on the brink of the postseason is because of rookie wide receiver A.J. Green, though his shoulder injury has caused some panic. 

The good news is that Green was a full participant in practice on Friday and will be ready to go against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Even though the Ravens have the second-best record in the AFC right now, they have not been a dominant team. Joe Flacco has been as inconsistent as any quarterback on a playoff team this year, and the team has just a 3-4 record on the road. 

As Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote, the preparation for this game has shown the mental states of both the Bengals and Ravens. 

"

While the Bengals have been loose this week, the Ravens were uptight leading up to the game. At 11-4, Baltimore needs a win or a Pittsburgh loss to secure its first division title since 2006 and a first-round bye.

If the Ravens lose and the Steelers beat Cleveland, Pittsburgh claims the North for the fourth time in five years and Baltimore is on the road to face either the Raiders or Broncos next weekend.

"

Green did not play in the first game these two teams played due to a knee injury, and Andy Dalton struggled. He had 373 yards, but threw three interceptions that led to the Bengals losing the game in Week 11. This will be his first chance to shine in the rivalry, and if it goes as well as the rest of his rookie season has, there is no way that he doesn't have at least 100 yards and one touchdown. 

The Bengals are going to the postseason, and Green is going to be the difference-maker for them in this game. 

Follow @adamwells1985