Baltimore (9-2) at Cincinnati (6-5)
The Ravens go west, as they visit the Cincinnati Bengals this week, after a very short break. The game is televised on the NFL Network, as well as Channel 2 in Baltimore. This game has turned out to be a big one, with the AFC North not wanting to go quite as the preseason analysts had predicted. The Ravens can clinch the division title with a win, and the Bengals are fighting to stay right in the middle of the playoff hunt.
A Closer Look
Baltimore’s offense, that has been revamped since Jim Fassel left brings an unprecedented five game winning streak to the Bengals, who are also playing with a lot of fire, winners of two in a row on the road, after routing the Saints and Cleveland.
Carson Palmer’s (4th in the league in passing) Bengals are clicking of late, putting aside some of the internal turmoil that plagued them early in the season. Chad Johnson, when not working on his hairstyles and end zone celebrations, is averaging 16.5 yards per catch and leading the NFL, and Houshmandzadeh close behind with 12.2 yards per catch. The Bengals top 5 receivers (Johnson, Houshmandzadeh, Henry, Kelly, Washington) all average over 10 yards per catch. Rudy Johnson throws in a respectable 3.9 yards per carry on the ground, but this is predominantly an aerial team right now.
Baltimore’s 2nd ranked defense, coming off a shutout of the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers, will have to get into gear early to close down the receiving corps.
The keys to the game for Baltimore are:
• Get to Carson Palmer early and often
• Shut down the receivers without PI calls
• Don’t let the Bengals go deep
The way the Ravens offense is playing, and the way the Bengals defense is playing, the Ravens should be able to move the ball. The greater challenge will be containing the Bengals offense.
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