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PREVIEW BALTIMORE AT CINCINNATI
Bengals defense must pressure Ravens
Monday, September 10, 2007
What you need to know about tonight's Bengals-Ravens game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati:
Overview
Extras
Baltimore is the defending AFC North Division champ, and replacing the Ravens on that pedestal is Cincinnati's goal.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is considered a defensive guru, while Ravens coach Brian Billick is often called an offensive genius. Ironically, the strengths of each club is on the opposite side of the ball. This tug of war features the Bengals' eighth-ranked offense against the Ravens' No. 1-ranked defense.
Scouting the Bengals
The offense is loaded with star power in QB Carson Palmer, WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and TB Rudi Johnson. But the line has two new starters in C Eric Ghiaciuc and LG Stacy Andrews, and the defense is extremely suspect. DEs Robert Geathers and Justin Smith need to pressure Ravens QB Steve McNair, create turnovers and provide the offense with good field position. The offense needs some long, sustained drives to keep the defense rested and fresh.
Scouting the Ravens
Led by LBs Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs, DL Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata, CB Chris McAlister and FS Ed Reed, the defense is an awesome unit populated by playmakers. Offensively, McNair and TE Todd Heap give the Bengals fits, along with PK Matt Stover. Fantasy leaguers will want to activate TB Willis McGahee, too, because of his breakaway speed. McNair started all 16 games in 2006 for the time since 2002. If his 34-year-old body is still standing at game's end, the Ravens could be celebrating.
Numbers game
The Ravens lead the series, 13-9, but the Bengals have won four of the last five meetings and are 6-5 at home against Baltimore. In seven of their eight seasons of qualifying for postseason play, the Bengals have won the opener.
Injury report
Bengals: LB Rashad Jeanty (calf), S Ethan Kilmer (knee) and DE Frostee Rucker (hamstring) are out; C Eric Ghiaciuc (neck) is questionable; RT Willie Anderson (foot), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee), CB Johnathan Joseph (foot) and PK Shayne Graham (hip) are probable.
Ravens: LB Antwan Barnes (ankle), LT Jonathan Ogden (toe) and DT Trevor Pryce (back) are questionable; WR Mark Clayton (ankle), CB Samari Rolle (ankle), LB Gary Stills (chest) and TE Dan Wilcox (ankle) are probable.
Outcome
Everything broke perfectly for the Ravens (13-3) in '06, but tonight belongs to the Bengals. The final: Bengals 27, Ravens 17.
