Remembering Jim Armbruster
14-year-old tried for rape
'09-'10 Miami hockey season photos
Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > October > 10 > Entry
Five Thoughts: Bengals vs. Ravens
Rev up offense
The Cincinnati Bengals must create a balanced attack offensively if they are to have any success against Baltimore’s stingy defense. Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski will need to mix things up with regularity to keep the aggressive defense off balance.
Starting running back Cedric Benson missed consecutive days of practice Wednesday and Thursday with a hip injury, but fully participated in practice on Friday. He’s listed as probable and is expected to play.
With Benson less than 100 percent, rookie Bernard Scott could see significant action on Sunday. Scott gave a solid performance last week against Cleveland. He carried the ball six times for 41 yards in relief of Benson.
This week Scott might be best severed in the team’s passing game due to his outstanding receiving skills. The Ravens defense is allowing a league-low 2.6 ypc and 59.5 yards per game. Therefore yards on the ground will no doubt be hard to come by.
Scott caught 47 passes for 826 yards and six touchdowns his senior season at Abilene Christian. He finished second on the team in receiving behind teammate receiver Johnny Knox who was drafted by the Chicago Bears. Scott presents a real matchup problem for the Ravens defense in the passing game.
Despite Baltimore’s ridiculous numbers on defense, the Bengals cannot abandon the run game.
Ride the arm of Palmer
Quarterback Carson Palmer has more passing yards against Baltimore than any other team in his career. That being said, there are no guarantees of the quarterback’s success. That, of course, will hinge on things working in the quarterback’s favor.
Although the Ravens have yielded five receiving touchdowns this season and ranked 23rd in pass defense, they remain an opportunistic group with six interceptions (3rd in the NFL). The defense has also recorded 10 sacks so Palmer can expect to be under some duress. The offensive line will have to work overtime keeping the quarterback upright, allowing him time to throw.
For Palmer, he must maintain his composure throughout the game and not press by letting the game come to him. It is also critical for the quarterback to be able to take advantage of the mismatches.
So many weapons
The Ravens defense had trouble covering the slot receiver in nickel coverage last week, which means wide receiver Andre Caldwell could have a productive day.
Another player who could have success against the defense is receiver Chris Henry. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Henry appears to be the go-to-guy for Palmer in clutch situations. The receiver poses a serious matchup problem in nickel and dime situations due to his size and speed.
Henry was on the receiving end of two third and long plays against Cleveland. Aware of the mismatch, Ravens safety Ed Reed is likely to draw the assignment of shadowing Henry in these situations.
The Bengals passing game up to this point has not scared anyone averaging 196 yards per game. However, the offense has prospered in red zone efficiency with six touchdowns. Needless to say it will be a difficult task trying to reach the red zone on Sunday.
The Bengals must utilize every weapon on offense in order to be effective. I say, spread the wealth.
Put the smack down on D
The Bengals will have enforcer Roy Williams back in the secondary after missing last week’s game. Williams was sidelined with a forearm injury but returned for a full week of practice this week. Williams acts as reinforcement in run support and is an aggressor in blitz packages. The safety’s return to the lineup is vital.
Ravens running back Willis McGahee is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and a league-leading seven touchdowns rushing and receiving. The team ranks fourth with a 28.8 percent rate of first downs on the ground.
The Bengals defense surrendered a career-best 121 yards rushing to Browns running back Jerome Harrison with Williams out. After having a week off, Williams will be looking to bust somebody in the mouth.
At cornerback, Leon Hall must do a better job neutralizing the opponent’s top receiver. He struggled last week in coverage against rookie Mohamed Massaquoi, who racked up 148 receiving yards on eight receptions. It could be a long day for Hall lining up across from former Pro Bowl receiver Derrick Mason.
Bottom line, the Bengals defensive front four, Robert Geathers, Domato Peko, Pat Sims, and Antwan Odom, need to put quarterback Joe Flacco under constant pressure and force him into making mistakes.
Bengals win
24-21 in another THRILLER!
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By voice of reason
October 11, 2009 8:17 AM | Link to this
what ever your smoking, send some my way. Ravens romp 31-17
By Dre
October 11, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
I believe Big C is smoking a Bengals victory cigar! Who-Dey!
By richardo
October 11, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this
Bengals rule!
By Paco
October 11, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
voice of reason, get your own dope druggy! Yo mama must have dropped you on your fat head when you were a crack baby! GO BENGALS!
By jacob
October 11, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this
WHO DEY! BENGALS WIN! BROWNS SUCK!!!
By HAHA WhoDey
October 11, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Well, at least “voice of reason” get the Bengals’ side of the score right!! Here’s hoping “VoR” had a lot of money on the Ravens to win! HAHAHA
By casey
October 12, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
ravens are so great!! the bengals beat them!! say it with me ravens fans,who-DEY,i mean WE-DEY!!
By Todd
October 13, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
Hey Voice of a Moron! Tell me how does it feel to be that stupid? Is it all warm and fuzzy in fantasy world. The Bengals have owned the Ratbirds ever since they’ve been Qb’d by a man named Palmer. Fact choke on it.