Ravens @ Bengals: Prediction & Gametime 'Open Thread'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 10:11 AM EST Comment 60 comments

Stick with Baltimore Beatdown all day and post your comments and jubilation as the Baltimore Ravens continue their path to the top of the AFC North with a revenge victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. I'll be here all day, commenting on the pre-game, game time and post game happenings and welcome your company as I watch it all unfold on the big screen TV.

While the Bengals played great and beat the Ravens in all phases of the game last time they played, I do not expect that same Ravens team on either side of the ball to show up today. That said, I also don't expect the same Bengals team we saw in Baltimore to be on the field as well. Mostly because, if the Ravens play like they did last week in dismantling the Denver Broncos, that itself will not allow Cincinnati to play like they did in the team's first meeting.

Of course, limiting the mistakes will go a long way towards a victory, and that includes not only the turnovers, but the unnecessary penalties at those critical phases of the game. Speaking of critical phases, the continued maturation of rookie kick returner and cornerback Lardarius Webb could easily be an x-factor today, if he breaks a long one to put us on a short field and helps out more in the secondary with the chances he's beginning to get.

The most important phase of the game will continue to be in the trenches, where the Bengals ruled last time we played. Putting the same type of pressure on Carson Palmer that we put on yle Orton changes everything. Stopping Cedric Benson before he reaches the line of scrimmage forces the Bengals to put the ball up more often and lets our pass rushers pin their ears back and go at it.

I see all of this happening as the Ravens are better prepared for this tough stretch in their schedule that will flesh out the division. The "real" Ravens showed up last week and I fully expect them to be here today. The "real" Bengals will be exposed and while I do not see this game as a runaway, I will also agree with the oddsmakers who have us a road favorite.

Ravens: 24-13

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Im meeting Webb Nov 18th

I remember a lot of people did not like the pick when the Ravens drafted him. I love him now.

Check out my website, it has scouting reports for all the Orioles' top prospects and is updated daily. www.oriolesprospects.com

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by ravensfan3 on Nov 8, 2009 10:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

How did you manage to get this set up?

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Nov 8, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a good feeling about this Mav...

I know, I misquoted, but it suits my purposes.

You said Lardarius Webb may be an X-factor today, and I agree. However, I think he’ll be a defensive X-factor, not special teams. Our special teams have looked extremely strong over the past two weeks (except for Hauschka’s Minn. FG), so this is more of a known quantity since Webb took over. However, Chris Carr was still the starting nickel, and Frank “no look” Walker was still getting on the field the last time we played Cincy. With the receivers they have, we cannot afford to have subpar nickel coverage, and Lardarius Webb stepped up pretty well in the slot (Remember, Brandon Stokley is a pretty good receiver).

Also, last week, we put on a tackling clinic. It was an absolutely great display of how to stop the ballcarrier. I only witnessed a small amount of missed tackles, but the thing about this Ravens team is that the first guy to the ball does not usually make the tackle. Because we are built on speed, you’ll see that when guys get to the ballcarrier, we grab him, and hold him in place where a swarm of two or three more guys will take him down. Against a guy like Cedric Benson, who slashed our ego so greatly last time, this is going to be vital to keep going. He is going to rush to the outside, and he’s going to get one-on-one matchups. You can’t go for the big hit and risk missing the tackle, you have to get a handle on him, and keep him in one spot where you can get help, much like we did last week.

Last time against Cincy, Joe Flacco looked a little rusty, but he won’t be feeling so bad once the Bungles have gotten a taste of Le’Ron McClain and Ray Rice. Even when Rice is running the ball, no one wants to see that monster coming out of the backfield as his lead blocker, and we know that rice will get at least a couple big plays into their secondary. If they have to step those safeties up, Derrick Mason will make them pay, and I expect Kelley Washington to get involved from the slot also.

Because I have renewed faith in our secondary with the emergence of a real nickelback, and our defense stepped up its tackling, I will go out on a limb and say that their success will continue to a limited extent this weekend. Carson Palmer still passes for two TD’s, but he also makes a few mistakes, setting up Ravens points. The Ravens grind down the Cincy defense with short passes and rushes, until they break down the door in the 2nd half.
Final score: Ravens: 31 Bengals: 23

On the first day, Chuck Norris created God. But the day before that, Matt Wieters created Chuck Norris and the calendar.

by oriolesfan151 on Nov 8, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good luck guys!

Put a Beatdown on the Bungles so we can finish them off next week!

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte

Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan

I need to find another stupid artifice to put here

by LV Steelers Fan on Nov 8, 2009 11:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Shit!

Ngata is inactive today. Gregg, Bannan, McKinney and Edwards need to step it up big time today. So do the linebackers, it is going to rest upon the LB’s shoulders if we stop the run today or not.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just beat me to it!

by 1 minute, MaLoR!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haloti Ngata = Inactive for today's game

Ouch. Time to step it up, Bannan, Edwards & McKinney! Perhaps someone like Kruger might be made active in his place?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

See comment above. Lol

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

However guys

We should take for granted that SS Roy Williams and Andre Smith are inactive today as well. Williams being out should help our passing game along with the run game.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 12:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Breaking news

YAMON FIGURS IS INACTIVE FOR THE BUCS TODAY! NOOOOOO!

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I have already heard Dan Fouts say 3 things that make no sense at all. Should be a great day of him screwing up our names.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 12:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm calling....

a blowout.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3rd and goal

I’m yelling you better blitz five rushers. They send ONLY 3 and Palmer has all day to find the same guy who scored the game winner in the first game. As much as I like Greg Mattison, I’d fire him for that call alone!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And none other than the great Chris Carr covering Caldwell again.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great to see that....

the defense showed up. Bengals 3 for 3 on third down….secondary giving up 10+ yards on first down throws, and Benson is already ripping off big yardage.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great....

first down on a penalty and we basically got a 3 and out.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Eerily quiet in here....

Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"

by svenhoek on Nov 8, 2009 1:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The ravens should get a monetary bonus

from Mike Brown because for some reason we have to make this chumps look great every time we face them.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

WTF

Where is the defense from last week>? They are blowing tackles and somehow they decided in the past week that they want to set a record for bonehead plays in a half.

1. fumble recovery overturned because of penalty
2. Bengals holding penalty overturned because of penalty
3. what 3 pass interference calls already?
2 minutes left 1st quarter. Get it together guys!

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This game is pretty much done

Between the horrible tackling and defensive penalties and piss poor coverage, we look soooo overmatched so far.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

How about them Orioles?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And another long scoring drive for the Bengals...

I predicted a blow out, but I hoped it would have taken longer. With that, the TV goes off, the radio comes on, and I am doing house work. If they Ravens aren’t going to show up. I ain’t going to give it all my attention.

Bonus points for the Defense extending the drive on Penalties.

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We lead the league in

overall and pass interference penalties. If the refs know that, they’ll sure to be looking for us to make them and they will call EVERYTHING they see on us, while perhaps they should let everyone play.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and another one on the kickoff

Check out my website, it has scouting reports for all the Orioles' top prospects and is updated daily. www.oriolesprospects.com

Follow me on twitter

by ravensfan3 on Nov 8, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

umm after harbaugh's speech

Apparently Harbaugh telling the players he wants them to like him last week meant he wouldn’t crack down on the penalties. I want the players to hate him if it will get them disciplined. I like Harbaugh but there is absolutely no discipline to this team.

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You mean the cornerbacks don't have to fall down every pass play?

I hope someone gives our CBs the updated memo on that.

Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008

by Eat More Esskay on Nov 8, 2009 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A call the went Baltimore's way

Use the gift Flacco!

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Man, we really have to watch 3 more quarters of this?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Win the trenches, win the game

Lose the trenches lose the game. They’re winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball and we’re losing the game. Period. Ngata is not the difference either.

On a side note, anyone seem to notice how our CB’s are slipping all over the place while the Bengals’ CB’s are sticking to us like glue?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Because their secondary is good???

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Quite a bloodbath already for only being 18 odd mimutes in

by Bug Ben on Nov 8, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I never thought id be wishing our offense would be on the field

Seriously in the old days it used to be rough because we’d have to watch our offense get decimated time in and out. Now I wish the defense could get off the field.

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Our defense

is absolutely atrocious. They can’t get off the field, and because of that, they’re getting even more tired and playing even more poorly.

by justlaxn0 on Nov 8, 2009 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is not your father’s Bengals defense. Improving every time I watch them.

"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh

by purpleonblack86 on Nov 8, 2009 2:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

not your father’s ravens defense either

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

unfortunately n:(

"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh

by purpleonblack86 on Nov 8, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

not

"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh

by purpleonblack86 on Nov 8, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Webb MVP

Seriously Webb seems to be the only person doing anything. He took the poisition from carr, and he is covering without falling down.

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

Time to start drinking and yet another boring Sunday after the Ravens lose. This is embarassing.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And then Joe throws an INT

Wonderful.

Whiskey or Vodka guys?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Flacco did that just to make the defense feel better.

This is a full team effort

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hey, look guys!

We stopped them on two consecutive possessions!

by justlaxn0 on Nov 8, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he did his best Koch impression

"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh

by purpleonblack86 on Nov 8, 2009 2:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey a blitz and a bad throw what a coincidence

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

High Life guy is working some magic

Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"

by svenhoek on Nov 8, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

too bad he won't be there for you on monday night

"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh

by purpleonblack86 on Nov 8, 2009 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We dont need him

If your D did that to Denver, imagine what ours will do.

Ryan Clark remarked that Coach Tomlin once asked whether he wanted to be the nail in the defense, or the hammer. "I said, 'I want to be the hammer coach.'"

by svenhoek on Nov 8, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And so ends the worst half of the season....

This was a full team pathetic mess. 17-0 when its should be even worse. Do the Ravens even have 40 yards of offense?

"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"

by UMBC Oriole fan on Nov 8, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

49 before that final "drive"

Perhaps we got a few more to go over 50.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Horrible, just horrible

Easily the worst we’ve played all season. Scary thought is the next worst we’ve played was also against the Bengals. It’s beginning to look like they are just a better team than we are. Plain and simple.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lose to Cincy today

and we pretty much have to go 7-1 the rest of the way as 10-6 just won’t get us into the post season. At the same time if we lose twice to Cincy, in division, our only hope will be the Wild Card and with a game against Indy, at GB and two with Pittsburgh, it could be draft position that becomes the key reason to play out the schedule. Ouch, this one is hurting bad.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Prediction:

We will come roaring back in the second and score just enough to lose by 3 due to the hole we were in after the first half.

by Benhem612 on Nov 8, 2009 2:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

this is just plain upsetting

by sam_ravens on Nov 8, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We may be forced to believe now that we are still in the Harbaugh transition phase. It just looks like we do not have all the right players at the moment to be a contender.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Nov 8, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs