How To Beat The Cincinnati Bengals This Time
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 5, 2009 9:20 AM EST
37 comments
Perhaps rather than wasting my time as well as yours, I should just copy the same story I posted in week five when we played each other in Baltimore. In that post I said:
Do what do the Ravens need to do on both sides of the ball to win this battle for first place of the division? Not much, just "play like a Raven" pretty much sums it up. Let the offense continue to move the ball, but put a little more emphasis on the run game than they did in New England, where they showed they could gobble up huge chunks of yardage at will. Throw the ball to keep the defense off of the line and when they creep up to put eight in the box, the air it out to make them pay.
Defensivlely, keep the Bengals out of the end zone. Bend but don't break between the 20's and force Cincy to kick field goals when they get into scoring position. Shut down the run game as usual and put lots of pressure on Carson Palmer, both with four rushers as well through a mix of stunts and blitzes. Don't give Palmer time to set up with deep drops and make our DB's look any worse than they've been already. Allow Ed Reed to provide help and start his run of picks that he did late in 2008. No long plays on offense for Cincinnati, much less Special Teams.
That pretty much still holds true for this game as well. I had mentioned in the October 9th post that this is not the old "Bungles" team that we saw last year and not only was I right up until that point, it's proven true since then as well.
In the first meeting between those teams, the Ravens did not listen to what I said they needed to do. They did not slow down Cedric Benson, they did not put pressure on Carson Palmer and their offense floundered and it certainly didn't help to throw a costly Red Zone interception on the Ravens first offensive possession.
However, if Baltimore follows the same game plan that led them to a dominating victory last week over the previously undefeated Denver Broncos, then there's no reason we can't do the same thing this week in Cincinnati. Remember the Ravens played horribly and the Bengals played great and we still could have and should have won that game up until the final seconds. If the Ravens can just play only a little bit better than they did in Baltimore, the revenge will be sweet and the result will tighten the race to the top of the AFC North.
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Dey would be the ones getting beat
As my brother likes to say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t break it.”
I’d like to see us throw in a Suggs Package play to throw off their D.
by stevef on Nov 5, 2009 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
big game...
We have to win this one…Denver must beat Pitt…the AFC North goes through Pitt…must win this one and Cleveland..figure Indy will beat us…
by Ravenator on Nov 5, 2009 11:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can guarantee you this
The Ravens offense is not going to score only 1 offensive TD like they did last game. I see at least 3 this game. With Odom out, that line is already extremely weaker. Our O-Line is going to murder those guys all day.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Nov 5, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with a few things
1- The Bengals did not play great last time around. Our defense did come up with the red zone INT and the run game was good- but the passing game wasn’t really there until the 4th quarter. Palmer threw some really questionable throws which resulted in 2 INT’s if I remember correctly.
2- MaLoR- Don’t be surprised if the defensive line of the Bengals isn’t extremely weaker. Frostee Rucker and Fanene both play well when they get reps. Frostee Rucker had 2 sacks against the Bears line last week (which yes, isn’t nearly as good as the Baltimore line) There is still a lot of depth at the DE position with Rucker, Fanene, and rookie Michael Johnson. Rotating those guys in will keep the D-Line fresh. We will miss Odom, but I’m pretty confident these guys will fill in nicely. Remember that Odom was out for most of the season last year as well and our defense still finished strong. Another note you may be interested in is that Odom really didn’t do too much against Baltimore last time around, compiling 2 tackles.
by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 5, 2009 12:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I do like your depth at DL
But good depth is still not as good as our best players. We now have gaither and oher back at the tackles.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Nov 5, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meant your best players not ours
Stupid iPhone
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Nov 5, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
But any player can breakout on any given Sunday and prove he’s worthy of a starting spot. Guys with a lot to prove can potentially be more dangerous than those who are practically guaranteed starting jobs. But I do think the Ravens will have the edge in the OL-DL battle since you were missing Gaither last time.
by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 5, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I did like Johnson alot coming out of G-Tech. A rather funny stat is that we are 0-3 without Gaither and 4-0 with him. Hmmmmmm
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Nov 5, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Way off topic
But why is it so hard for you guys to sell out games now? Espcially a game as big as this one is Sunday, I could understand a home game to the Rams or something, but I understand times are hard but seems to me as well as your team going tickets would be hard to come by, just wondering what the reason was why Bengals havent sold out for the Ravens on Sunday.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Nov 5, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A few factors
1. The economy is atrocious in Ohio. Maybe the only states that are hurting as bad or worse are Michigan and Florida. We have sold out past years with the team playing much worse so I don’t think we can pin it on the team’s performance since they’re playing their best ball since 05.
2. The only games we’ve sold out with no help from Kroger or Motorola were the Pittsburgh and Bears games… and that was because THEIR fans bought up the seats. There are always Steelers fans that invade PBS and Chicago has a huge fanbase that showed up bigtime.
So basically, I’m pinning this on the poor economy and Ravens fans not being up to par with Chicago and Pittsburgh- in terms of spending money and travelling for a road game.
by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 5, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let's also note that 3,000 tickets remain
That’s a little under 5% of the stadium capacity. The Bengals have been granted an extension to sell the rest of the seats by Friday.
by WhoDeyDerek on Nov 5, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
also, that’s a lot of laundry machine and scratch off ticket money. can’t be cuttiin’ into that.
by raven on Nov 6, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ravens fans come to Cincinnati Sunday
I need some help this Sunday In Cincy cheering on our RAVENS. I hope that we have many fans coming into town like we did last year. Bengals having trouble selling out PBS again, I say lets help them out and cheer on our RAVENS in Cincinnati
by CincinnatiRavensfan on Nov 5, 2009 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Chad Ochocinco
gave out 10 pairs of tickets thru 105.7 today.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 5, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hate his over-the-top persona if you want . . .
but 8 5 actually seems like a pretty classy fella when he wants to be. He handled the Ray hit flap with dignity and humor.
by robgoose on Nov 5, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Best advice would be to score more points then they do.
by archon095 on Nov 5, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not to nitpick, but..
Slowing down the running game, pressuring the quarterback, and moving the ball effectively on offense, while keeping the opposing team from scoring touchdowns is a pretty generic way to win a game ;p
by jsl413 on Nov 5, 2009 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wish a Roadtrip to Cinci was Realistic
Too bad my job blows more than Paris Hilton. Balderdash.
"Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out." - Ichiro Suzuki
by Billy Buckner on Nov 5, 2009 7:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As far as football roadtrips go
Cincy is just not high on that list. I’ll take GB or SD over Cincy any day. Sorry.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 5, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True.
You make a very, very good point. To be honest, San Diego is probably as good as it could possibly get. It’s 45 and raining here in Philly. Beeeeauuuutiful. Although I hear bad things about the fans. How could you be a jackass in that weather?
"Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out." - Ichiro Suzuki
by Billy Buckner on Nov 5, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you can boo Santa
the weather doesn’t matter when you’re filled with “liquid courage!” Besides, I wouldn’t be so quick to mqake a road trip to Baltimore either, and I’m from here!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 5, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good Points.
True for most from here, haha. But I’m from NJ, just work here, family from Balmer. Philly fans have to be the dumbest across the board. It can be painful to deal with, and I’ve grown up here. And I guess any place can be awesome if you’re drunk enough, though. It’s a valid point. Dammit, I wish I was drinking and not working.
"Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me. I think there's sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I'd rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out." - Ichiro Suzuki
by Billy Buckner on Nov 5, 2009 8:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have looked at this game from every angle I can and .....
On a neutral field this game is simply a wash. Two things slightly work in the Bengals favor. I mean very slightly. Home field advantage even though it isn’t as strong for us as it has been in the past when it really was the Jungle. The other is the condition of Ngata. I expect him to play if at all possible in this important of a game but he probably won’t be 100%. This gives Cook a better chance to clear out running lanes in the middle and he did ok last time when Ngata was healthy. The biggest concern for me is that the Ravens are desperate. They really need this win. We need it too but not as bad as the Bengals as they have 2 Steeler games and a Colts game coming up and they could lose all three of them if they lose momentum. I do however think they can split with the Steelers and they can beat the Colts. The Colts havn’t really played anyone in the upper echelon of the league yet. The 3 games against the Steelers and Bengals are their stepping stones to the playoffs. If we can keep Carson clean I think we can take them. But that is a big if.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 6, 2009 8:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
An "if" that I don't see happening
While Ngata is a great player, we are more stacked in DT’s than anyone in the league, with Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards, both who would be starting elsewhere. There’s also Brandon McKinney who just seems to make plays every time he’s in.
The key to me is how poorly we played last time and still could have won. Just a it better and I think we can win going away. We’ll see. Thanks JJ.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 6, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying the the backups are as good as Ngata?
I would think that if they were they would be starting? You think you can win going away? Good, that is usually a sign that the Bengals have a good chance for the win . If we were favored for the win I would be more worried than I already am. As I have said before, if I were a betting man I would put my money on the Ravens but what you seem to be in denial about is that we didn’t play that well either, especially on O. Our Oline, which plays better every week, gave Benson lanes and he managed to stack up some yards but our WRs were still getting their timing down with Carson due to a lack of preseason reps. He came alive in Chicago so on Offense I think we will be much better. No, I do not expect a big passing game like Chicago as your general D is much better but your backfields id certainly not as elite as the front 7 on your D.
Protecting Carson is the key and if you neglect the run D in favor of the pass rush, well lets face it Orton is not Palmer. Palmer can make you pay. He has many more options than Orton. These are so close in general capability on both sides of the ball that, unless one of us has a less than stellar outing they will lose. We don’t have a history of winning after the bye. This is one of those anything can happen games. Bruce, I have no problem with your opinion that thr Ravens will win as I think you have a better chance this game than last but considering that we beat you last time this winning going away thinking, even thought it could be true of either team, isn’t based on the reality of where the teams are right now. Much of your optimism is based on one game, the Broncos game. This does not mean you have turned any corner any more than the Bengals can say the same thing regarding the Bears game.
I will be back Monday to face the Ravens board win or lose. I am sure you are looking forward to it as much as I am. The Ravens have a lot on the line and I expect their best shot and I am hopeful that we can take it and prevail. If we do I think we can beat just about anyone. If we don’t we are still in the hunt.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 6, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ngata will play
according to what I saw on ProFootballTalk.com. His backups are solid, but not as good as him. I thought we would win going away the first time and even with the loss the won over Denver has returned me to that same mind set. But then again, what do I know?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 7, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“If I were a betting man I would put my money on the Ravens”
Now that’s a confident 1st place Bungles fan. At the peak of their success and you still can’t manage any confidence in your home team.
We will absolutely crush you. It won’t even be a game. Palmer will be all chuck and duck. You’ll have 0 pass rush. Chad will be looking for his helmet again. Benson, having beat the Bears, has no reason to play well. Marvin is 1-4 after the bye. The stadium will be filled with Ravens fans.
by raven on Nov 6, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh Raven, Bless your pointed little head!
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 6, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What exactly was your point anyway Raven?
You were wrong on every point that I read. Bengals 17 – Ravens 7 that is my point.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 8, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ravens fans coming to the game on Sunday could you tell me if everyone is grouped together in one section or are you spread all over stadium? Just let me know on here what Section most of you are going to be sitting in would like to be able to get in the same section with everyone.
by CincinnatiRavensfan on Nov 6, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m sitting in section Lexington Market. Anyone want to join?
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Nov 7, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You did your best
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. If the game had another quarter you may have won as the momentum seemed to have changed but you know what they say about the dog and the rabbit.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Nov 8, 2009 10:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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