Do Not Overlook the Bengals

[theFRANCHISE]

We already know our Ravens won't overlook the Bengals this Sunday -- I can't say the same for some of our fellow fans.

You've heard all the clichés -- any given Sunday; one game at a time; games aren't won on paper. They are never truer this Sunday, when two teams heading in opposite directions are on a collision course. The playoff-bound Ravens are only playing for the slim possibility of a division title. The 4-11 Bengals have the hope of finishing 5-11 in playing spoiler to a hated rival's quest for the crown that was theirs just one year ago.

The Ravens have a shot at the #2 seed, a home playoff game, and a bye week at stake. The Bengals have nothing to lose except finishing with 12 losses instead of 11, making them that much more desperate. As history has shown, teams that play out of desperation are usually the most dangerous.

Consider these factors:
[indent]
- The Bengals are playing for their jobs; though Marvin Lewis is likely gone, players and coaches are looking to make their best impressions on the next head coach by putting on a highlight-worthy performance.

- Carson Palmer is seeking validation; while Palmer has historically played well against the Ravens, he'll need to prove his worth by putting on yet another aerial display without his top two targets, thereby supporting the assertion that Palmer is better able to focus on his game without Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens whispering in both ears.

- The Bengals' young receivers are auditioning for playing time; with the respective futures of T.Ocho in doubt, the depth chart is wide open for young guys like Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley to make a case for more snaps on the outside and more throws in their direction.

- The Bengals defense is still riding high on emotion; when defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was devastated by the sudden loss of his wife last year, his players rallied around him and have continued to do so ever since.

- In the last three matchups, the Ravens lost by margins of 3, 10, and 5 points, with all of those matchups decided by the Bengals defense stifling the Ravens offense and shutting down Ray Rice; this season, the Ravens are on pace to carry the ball more times than last season's attempts (460 in 2010, 468 in 2009) but average a full yard less per carry, which could pose a problem if the Ravens attempt to win the game exclusively on the ground.

- Joe Flacco's Week 2 performance against the Bengals was a 4-INT affair that arguably cost the team an otherwise winnable game.
[/indent]
While I believe the Ravens have a great chance to win on Sunday, it's too convenient to write this off as an easy victory just based solely on the Bengals' W/L record. AFC North games have never been about records; historically, these matchups have always been close and have rarely featured flashy, season-defining performances. I would not be surprised to see this game decided in the fourth quarter, and I certainly don't expect a dominant outing. The important thing is that the Ravens enter the game with a lunch-pail mentality and take care of business.

As for our capacity as fans, we will enter this game with confidence and hope for the best as it pertains to a division title. However, expectations of the final stat line should be tempered. To assume a blowout is to forget that the Bengals are still a professional football team with talent.

[berad]

Well said, Franny.

Of course, if the Steelers beat the Browns this game becomes, essentially, meaningless. If that happens, I'm hoping to get out of the game healthy, regardless of the outcome. A win, and positive momentum, going into the post-season would be nice but isn't vital... Look at the Saints, last year; they lost their last three regular season games and were hoisting the Lombardi in February.

It's nice not to have your playoff livelihood hanging in the balance in Week 17. We're already in, baby!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1293763011' post='588664']
- In the last three matchups, the Ravens lost by margins of 3, 10, and 5 points, with all of those matchups decided by the Bengals defense stifling the Ravens offense and [b]shutting down Ray Rice; this season, the Ravens are on pace to carry the ball more times than last season's attempts (460 in 2010, 468 in 2009) but average a full yard less per carry, which could pose a problem if the Ravens attempt to win the game exclusively on the ground.[/b]
[/quote]

Great post overall Franny but I wanted to address this part.

Rice was definitely bottled up for the most part against the Bengals last year but he wasn't against them earlier this season. Rice actually posted his highest YPC of the season against them with 5.4 and his second longest carry of the season, 30 yards, came against them too. He was taking over the game before Cam took the ball out of his hands.

Of course, there's no guarantee that happens Sunday but with Cam's recent commitment to the run, I'm hoping it does and the Ravens can pound the Bengals into submission.

[berad]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293763599' post='588673']
Great post overall Franny but I wanted to address this part.

Rice was definitely bottled up for the most part against the Bengals last year but he wasn't against them earlier this season. Rice actually posted his highest YPC of the season against them with 5.4 and his second longest carry of the season, 30 yards, came against them too. He was taking over the game before Cam took the ball out of his hands.

Of course, there's no guarantee that happens Sunday but with Cam's recent commitment to the run, I'm hoping it does and the Ravens can pound the Bengals into submission.
[/quote]

That was definitely Cam's worst game, play-calling-wise [i](did I screw those hyphens up?!)[/i]...

How we only run the ball 20 times in a one-score game when, as you pointed out, the running game was actually decent, is beyond me. Joe shouldn't be throwing the ball 40+ times when the score is that close, crappy OL or not.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293763599' post='588673']
Great post overall Franny but I wanted to address this part.

Rice was definitely bottled up for the most part against the Bengals last year but he wasn't against them earlier this season. Rice actually posted his highest YPC of the season against them with 5.4 and his second longest carry of the season, 30 yards, came against them too. He was taking over the game before Cam took the ball out of his hands.

Of course, there's no guarantee that happens Sunday but with Cam's recent commitment to the run, I'm hoping it does and the Ravens can pound the Bengals into submission.
[/quote]
That's where I'm concerned; although Rice had a great game in Week 2, the season's body of work by Rice and McGahee has me puzzled and I'm not sure this'll be the game where Rice confirms he's gotten his groove back. I think he's hit his stride, but this game could only leave us with more doubts if we expect him to reel off a 100+ yard performance. Rather, I think he'll fare better in the team's first playoff game, regardless of whether it's played in the Wild Card Round or the Divisional Round.

[Ravens Lover]

It all depends on how the Steelers do for how I will look at this game. If they win I could care less what happens as long as no players get hurt, but if the Steelers happen to lose I'll treat this as if this was the game to get into the playoffs not last weeks

[edreedfromtheu]

What I don't get is... the Bengals don't act like they have anything to play for against any other team. I mean, all these things could have been said about their 2nd match-up with Pittsburgh. The Bengals had nothing to play for... except ruining the Steelers' chances at a division title. But no, they threw that game away.

But for whatever reason, when they play the Ravens, the Bengals play like it is the Super Bowl.

And for that exact reason, the Ravens players will probably be fired up. They know the game doesn't mean anything if the Steelers win their game... but mentally, you know the players do NOT like how Cincinnati has dominated them over the last several years. Quite a few of those games were decided by a last minute call by the officials, but either way... you know the Ravens want to get that monkey off the back and BEAT CINCY!

I'm just mad Terrell Owens is ducking what would have been his first regular season game in Baltimore since he refused to come here when the Ravens traded for him. I was really looking forward to him getting rocked.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1293764120' post='588676']
That was definitely Cam's worst game, play-calling-wise [i](did I screw those hyphens up?!)[/i]...

How we only run the ball 20 times in a one-score game when, as you pointed out, the running game was actually decent, is beyond me. Joe shouldn't be throwing the ball 40+ times when the score is that close, crappy OL or not.
[/quote]

Agreed. I could have understood if Rice didn't many carries because Willis got some snaps but he touched the ball three times. And Le'Ron touched it once. That game still annoys me.

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1293764232' post='588677']
That's where I'm concerned; although Rice had a great game in Week 2, the season's body of work by Rice and McGahee has me puzzled and I'm not sure this'll be the game where Rice confirms he's gotten his groove back. I think he's hit his stride, but this game could only leave us with more doubts if we expect him to reel off a 100+ yard performance. Rather, I think he'll fare better in the team's first playoff game, regardless of whether it's played in the Wild Card Round or the Divisional Round.
[/quote]

I'm not expecting 100+ yards on the ground; that hasn't happened often enough for me to do that. But I do expect well over 100 total yards. We didn't see any against the Browns but I'm Rice gets a few screens thrown his way.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1293764831' post='588685']
[b]I'm just mad Terrell Owens is ducking[/b] what would have been his first regular season game in Baltimore since he refused to come here when the Ravens traded for him. I was really looking forward to him getting rocked.
[/quote]

Didn't realize a torn meniscus counts as "ducking".

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1293764831' post='588685']
I'm just mad Terrell Owens is ducking what would have been his first regular season game in Baltimore since he refused to come here when the Ravens traded for him. I was really looking forward to him getting rocked.
[/quote]
EDIT- Never mind, I was wrong!

[Jamal]

I think most fans remember our recent spankings from Cincy, or at least I hope they do.

[The King]

There were definitely a lot of mistakes made in the first game with the Bengals. Play calling was questionable, Flacco made mistakes in his reads that caused INTs, and the defense's play was less than inspired. Not to mention that mistakes were made in officiating that really hurt the Ravens (that questionable roughing the passer penalty that extended the Bengals game-winning drive didn't help).

Those mistakes cost the Ravens the game last time. If they can cut them out, they will really be doing themselves a favor. Though the Bengals are a talented team with a lot of potential that they can and, at times, have, bring to the table, I honestly don't think they can beat our Ravens provided that the Ravens don't beat themselves.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1293765207' post='588692']
It wouldn't be his first regular-season game at M&T Bank Stadium since that incident; T.O.'s Eagles visited the Ravens in Baltimore in 2004, the same year that the trade was blocked. That was the game where Owens mocked Ray's dance after catching a TD.
[/quote]

That game was in Philly.

[RivenHale]

Don't you dare fault the D for that game. No touchdowns off any of those turnovers? That, sir, is a VERY inspired game.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1293765617' post='588699']
Don't you dare fault the D for that game. No touchdowns off any of those turnovers? That, sir, is a VERY inspired game.
[/quote]

Still, the defense forced to generate any turnovers of their own and both Landry and Zibby had balls that hit them in their hands.

[RivenHale]

Opportunities lost, yes, but I still stand by that turnover stat. If you turn the ball over four times and only end up surrendering ... fifteen points? I think it was fifteen points - that IS good enough to win. The offense just failed to bring it that day.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1293766475' post='588705']
Opportunities lost, yes, but I still stand by that turnover stat. If you turn the ball over four times and only end up surrendering ... fifteen points? I think it was fifteen points - that IS good enough to win. The offense just failed to bring it that day.
[/quote]

Agreed

[The King]

I didn't say it was a poor game. I said uninspired. They played very solid defense and held up well, but they didn't do anything to win it.

What they did last week against the Browns was inspired, especially by Ed Reed. What they did in week 2 was quite good.

[RivenHale]

And I still hold that what they did was definitely inspired football. In those situations, on the road, turning it over four times in a game, holding your opponent to fifteen points is an inspired game.

I really don't want to turn this into a thing - not only is it totally unimportant, but the game was forever ago and should be left in the past. I'm just sayin' how I feel it.

[DevilsLuck]

This is going to be a great game not because we will probably blow them out but because the "Ben Gals" will be playing like it's their last game since it is their last game. They have nothing to lose and will gain tremendous confidence back going into the next season. We have to do our best to shut them down and hold a lead. I believe in the Ravens, and we can get it done. Go Ravens!!!

[Joe5Flacco]

I wish this was an afternoon game because if the Steelers lose it will be like a playoff game.

[ravenswoman]

I doubt the Ravens or the fans are looking past the Bengals after our first meeting. But just like with Hillis, I don't think they will let it happen again. The Ravens of late are not the same team as the Ravens at the start of the season. Offense, defense and special teams seem to be gelling just in time.
Found this on the bengals site. I love it. I know it is suppose to be making fun of Joe, but I still love it.
[img]http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/ezpkns34/1257695621744.png[/img]

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Hopefully their last three losses to them just becomes fuel for the purple flame.

[Romo Ravens]

About five weeks ago, looking at the last stretch of the schedule, I gave this game a loss for us. But now, seeing as we can actually win the division, I think that we'll win, but it'll be like pulling teeth. But what the hell do the Browns have to do to win? It would be so Raven-esque for the Browns to upset the Steelers, and we lose to the Bengals lol.

[ravenswoman]

the Browns beat the Saints and NE, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities for them to beat the Stealers, doubtful but possible. It would be nice....

[baltravens]

My concern is not overlooking the Bengals, but looking down if we face the Colts. Do we fear those guys?

[Ravenseconbeast]

I think Graham, Simpson, and Shipley are going to test our corners, but seeing how Wilson, Carr, Webb has been doing lately I feel good about our coverage game. The question is, has Flacco and our Oline learned anything from previous 3 losses? If Flacco can win this game, it can set the tone for next year. Flacco needs know he can beat these bungals. Hopefully he'll totally dominate them to kick Bengals out of the season with a miseable loss to ponder upon.

[baltravens]

[quote name='Joe5Flacco' timestamp='1293773806' post='588758']
I wish this was an afternoon game because if the Steelers lose it will be like a playoff game.
[/quote]
Our game starts at 1 and the Squeelers' game starts at 1.

[Joe5Flacco]

Yes I know that they start at the same time, I live in Canada so it starts at 11am and what I meant is that it would be nice if the Ravens game was after the Steelers game so we could get a glimse of what our team would be like in a basically must win motivational game.

[ravensdfan]

The Bengals are a team we just can't seem to beat recently. It is not like they dominate us but we do not play our best against them. IMO a win here is essential regardless of what the Steelers/Browns outcome is, as in the most likely scenario we go on the road to face a team that has dominated us since 2002. There are demons here to be exercised by the team as a whole and Flacco specifically. A win here gives us more than just momentum. Mentally I think it would be a big boost heading into the playoffs considering who we will most likely face on the road to Dallas.

As for pounding the Bengals into submission, only if the run game is producing. IMO this is exactly Cam's problem this season (with the exception of Week 2, go figure). He stubbornly refuses to put the game into Flacco's hands when the run game is going nowhere.

It amazes me that many talk about the Bengals' ability to win this game (rightly so) yet discount the Browns beating the Steelers so easily. There is an old rivalry between these two teams. I'm sure the Browns would like nothing better than to take that AFCN crown from the Steelers this Sunday. I believe at this point in time, the Ravens are playing better football overall than the Steelers. I expect both of these contests to be typical AFCN football.