Baltimore (4-3) at Cincinnati (5-2)

Cloudy Currently: Cincinnati, OH
Temp: 51° F
  • Game info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: CBS

By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer Nov 4, 2:33 pm EST

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A road win over the Baltimore Ravens last month helped the Cincinnati Bengals serve notice they could be a surprising factor in a crowded AFC North.

The Ravens now need to return the favor in Cincinnati or face a major uphill climb in the conference’s toughest division.

The Bengals are coming off a bye week heading into Sunday’s rematch, but Baltimore enters feeling confident after snapping a three-game losing streak with an impressive victory.

A 17-14 win over the Ravens on Oct. 11 has been among the highlights of Cincinnati’s impressive start. Carson Palmer(notes) found Andre Caldwell(notes) for the game-winning touchdown with 22 seconds left after Cedric Benson(notes) became the first player in 40 games to top 100 rushing yards against Baltimore.

After a 45-10 drubbing of Chicago before their bye, the Bengals (5-2) are tied with Pittsburgh atop the division, and they can improve to 4-0 within the AFC North with a victory Sunday.

That would give Cincinnati the tiebreaker between these teams while Baltimore would fall two games out of first place.

“There is no doubt about it, this game matters. It matters a lot for us,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “They can probably survive a loss - we can survive a loss, too - but it will make it a lot more interesting if we go down there and win.”

Baltimore (4-3) had dropped three straight by less than a touchdown before responding last Sunday with a 30-7 win over Denver, which had entered 6-0.

Joe Flacco(notes) was 20 of 25 for 175 yards and a touchdown while the emerging Ray Rice(notes) ran for 84 yards and a score against the stingy Broncos defense, but the Ravens’ most important performance may have come from their own defense.

One of the most dominating units in the league in recent seasons, Baltimore’s defense has slowed down this year after former coordinator Rex Ryan left to coach the New York Jets. The Ravens rank 13th overall defensively but looked rejuvenated last week, holding Denver to season lows of 66 rushing yards and 134 passing.

“Whatever success or failure you have one week does not guarantee or ensure anything for the next week,” Harbaugh said. “Our guys are excited about the fact that they played well against a very effective offense, but we’re going to line up against a really effective offense on Sunday. That presents a challenge for us.”

Baltimore should be especially motivated against the Bengals after allowing Benson’s 120-yard performance last month. Since 2000, Baltimore opponents have averaged 88.4 rushing yards, the fewest of any team in that stretch.

“That’s something we take pride in,” linebacker Jarret Johnson(notes) said after the loss to Cincinnati. “We put it on our backs, that, ‘Hey, you’re not going to run the ball on us.’ And when a team is able to do that, yeah, it’s hard.”

But Benson has been doing it consistently during a bounce-back season. Coming off a career-high 189 yards on the ground against the Bears two weeks ago, Benson joins Tennessee’s Chris Johnson as the only players averaging more than 100 yards per game.

Palmer threw for five touchdowns against Chicago and appears healthy after starting just four games last season. He’s been well-protected by a new-look offensive line after the Bengals ranked last in total offense and allowed an AFC-high 51 sacks last year.

Even with tackle Andre Smith(notes) sidelined by a broken foot, Palmer has been sacked just twice in the last three games, a big reason Cincinnati has already exceeded its win total from 2008. Smith, the No. 6 overall pick in April’s draft, could make his NFL debut Sunday.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” Palmer said. “Being 5-2 and tied for first in the division - it’s ours to lose, really. We just need to hang on for as long as we can and finish the season with a bunch of wins and see what happens as far as the playoff picture’s concerned.

“But that’s a little far down the road for us right now. It’s about Baltimore, and then it’s about (Nov. 15 at) Pittsburgh. I don’t even know who we play after that, honestly.”

Cincinnati will be looking for a repeat performance defensively after holding the Ravens to a season-low 257 total yards and intercepting Flacco twice in last month’s win. Baltimore has scored at least 21 points in each of its other six games, but it was held to one offensive touchdown and 12 first downs against the Bengals.

Flacco has looked much better since that game, completing more than 70 percent of his passes without an interception in the last two contests while frequently orchestrating a no-huddle attack.

As a rookie last year, Flacco was 19 of 29 for 280 yards and two touchdowns in the Ravens’ 34-3 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 30.

Updated Nov 4, 2:33 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Baltimore 5-5-0 3rd AFC North 237 171 2-3-0 Road 5-4-0 0-1-0 2-2-0 Lost 1
Cincinnati 7-3-0 1st AFC North 215 167 3-2-0 Home 5-3-0 2-0-0 5-0-0 Lost 1
NFL

180 Comments

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  1. G-unit
    180. Posted by G-unit Tue Nov 10 9:33pm EST

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    i think the bengals have an amazing chance of going 2 the super bowl an dont let any 1 tell u other wise an if they do then it will b the saints an the bengals but the bengals got 2 get there 1st btw im a major bengals an saints r my nfc team!!
  2. KONG
    179. Posted by KONG Mon Nov 9 9:46pm EST

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    ho dey ho dey dey woop up on a bo bo anton ono ho dey ho dey love this new tribal chant
  3. Robert T
    178. Posted by Robert T Mon Nov 9 7:22pm EST

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    The ravens suck! go bengals!
  4. Jim W
    177. Posted by Jim W Mon Nov 9 6:16pm EST

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    174. Posted by Andrew Mon Nov 9 5:36pm EST Report Abuse
    The Bengals are on fire! It is awesome to see them play so well. WHO DEY!

    Just an observation about the Ravens though.... I know Ray Rice is the man in Baltimore. But what happened to McGahee? In the first 3 weeks of the season when the Ravens started 3-0, McGahee had at least 7 carries every game. Only once in the last 5 games does McGahee have 7 carries or more, and the Ravens are 1-4 in those games... Has anybody else noticed this?

    I have definitely noticed this since he is on my FF team. I drafted him because of how explosive he was last year. This year that haven't used him barely at all since the beginning of the season. Been holding on to him in case Ray Rice goes down, and I am sure he will the way they are using him all the time. Makes you wonder what head coaches are thinking...
  5. cincycat
    176. Posted by cincycat Mon Nov 9 6:15pm EST

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    to post #128..micheal s. Bengals will not hold back if we get a chance to blow out ben's knee..trust me on that one dude!!
  6. Jerry
    175. Posted by Jerry Mon Nov 9 6:00pm EST

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    who dey bengals vs vikings superbowl
  7. Andrew
    174. Posted by Andrew Mon Nov 9 5:36pm EST

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    The Bengals are on fire! It is awesome to see them play so well. WHO DEY!

    Just an observation about the Ravens though.... I know Ray Rice is the man in Baltimore. But what happened to McGahee? In the first 3 weeks of the season when the Ravens started 3-0, McGahee had at least 7 carries every game. Only once in the last 5 games does McGahee have 7 carries or more, and the Ravens are 1-4 in those games... Has anybody else noticed this?
  8. Cory
    173. Posted by Cory Mon Nov 9 4:58pm EST

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    go bengals
  9. Xander
    172. Posted by Xander Mon Nov 9 4:55pm EST

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    One thing these posts do is make me realize what little grasp people have of the english language and writing. Jesus. I wonder if it's a demographic thing. lol. It's so hard to read, and to peek into these people's minds makes me glad I paid attention in High School.

    Go Bengals!!!!!
  10. DonW
    171. Posted by DonW Mon Nov 9 4:42pm EST

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    #166 Brian, The Vikings have one loss to the Steelers. The Steelers have something to prove tonight in Denver. This time of year good teams need to win at home and win some big games on the road against the other quality teams. Let's face the AFC north(except the browns) is tough.....look at Baltimore......lost to you guys twice by a total of ten points. Baltimore lost to the Vikings and the Pats on the road. The total points down on those two games was 8. Of the AFC north HONESTLY look at the schedules.......the Bengals have had the easiest start. Look at the other three teams in terms of who they played up to now. Strength of schedule wise.....Clearly the browns have had it tough, probably then Baltimore, then Pittsburgh.....with the Bengals enjoying the easiest thus far. The Bengals now get to play some good teams over the coming weeks. Three games on the road that are against quality winning teams. The two Steeler losses were by a total of 6 points combined, both road games.
  11. idle al
    170. Posted by idle al Mon Nov 9 3:59pm EST

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    i pick the steeler refs next week
  12. Jason SMith
    169. Posted by Jason SMith Mon Nov 9 3:47pm EST

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    Lana B @121: the stellers got burned on a 66 yard play to chad the steelers hurt carson for bounty money

    Is that a bandwagon fan I see there, because us real Bengals fans know that the 66 yard play was to Chris Henry. So really if you are going to talk @#$% at least have your facts straight.

    In other news looking forward to see how we do at Pittsburgh, it's a big game and going to be a battle just as it was in Cincy. It was a blast to see at the stadium.
  13. niceygc
    168. Posted by niceygc Mon Nov 9 3:28pm EST

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    #165 Shaun...do you need a hug...that is just foul and vile.
  14. Matthew F
    167. Posted by Matthew F Mon Nov 9 2:19pm EST

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    To: 119. Posted by bbowman223

    when have we choaked in the playoffs??? we have only been to the playoffs once in the last 2 decades and it was a dirty ass play by one of your players who took our QB out. We didnt choak, you guys shouldnt have had a 5th ring, and then we wouldnt be hearing this g*y as$ "sixpeat" garbage you hom0es are always saying after last year.
    And... i thought ben ran the team??? isnt it his play calling that took you guys to the house last year??? it was his fault cause he couldnt close out the game and put us away for good. quit making excuses.
    And you guys still have to play the ravens twice. i see a split comming between you guys. Even if we do drop the game next week we are still in control of the division. We hve the best defense in the divison now too. And our offense is making plays when it counts.
  15. Brian J.
    166. Posted by Brian J. Mon Nov 9 2:10pm EST

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    DonW, your steelers haven't beaten anyone all year.
  16. Law1951
    165. Posted by Law1951 Mon Nov 9 1:52pm EST

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    John H,,,, LanaB, This is really FOOTBALL talk! Has nothing to do with sexual innuendos or off color criticisms. It is so sad to see just how far we "HAVEN'T" come sometimes. Good fans, let's not even give that crap life by responding to garbage...
    I love the Bengals, but I won't call any team out of their rightful name.. Ravens didn't win, Ravens fans "GET OVER IT" you're dismissed!

    The Steelers have their chance tonight, and this coming weekend to keep their season alive. While I think they have a decent chance at winning tonight, I don't think they will on Sunday. The Bengals defensive front is just playing too well. Once the game is over Sunday, Steeler fans, you will be dismissed as well.
    And yes, I think Chad will get fined although I'd rather see him concentrate on holding onto the ball after a catch which he lost twice Sunday!
  17. mohamed
    164. Posted by mohamed Mon Nov 9 1:31pm EST

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    Ot-Sinco Chad that was haulers when he try to give ref under table $
  18. Jeff W
    163. Posted by Jeff W Mon Nov 9 1:30pm EST

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    Freakin' Baltimore got Wins against Kansas City and Cleveland in the first three weeks. I'll give them the win over SD. The win over Denver? Denver was the most overrated 6-0 team I've seen. They got lucky wins against NE, Dallas and Cincy.

    Cincinnati beat Green Bay on the Road, Baltimore on the Road, Pittsburgh and Chicago. They lost a game to Denver they deserved to win.

    Baltimore is just not on the Bengals tier this year.
  19. RickM
    162. Posted by RickM Mon Nov 9 1:22pm EST

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    WWWWWWWHHHHHHOOOOOODDDDDEEEYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
    I'm a Bengals fan, but i gotta say the Ravens practically GAVE us those wins. But don't get it twisted, the Bengals are roarin! Look out Splitsburg! LOL

    Bengals will OWN the division when its all said and done
  20. niceygc
    161. Posted by niceygc Mon Nov 9 12:59pm EST

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    It great to see up and coming teams in the mix for the title...Bengals, Saints, Vikes, Cards. It adds some excitement for the viewer. Maybe the Lions someday will be....oh nevermind...lol
  21. Lind
    160. Posted by Lind Mon Nov 9 12:16pm EST

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    Wow the Cincinnati Bengals are playing great football. Whooo knewwwwww they are 4 real. Let's see what they can do against the Steelers next week in Pittsburgh. Bengals helmets and unis are pretty sweet, on the best unis in the NFL.
  22. Earl of Funk
    159. Posted by Earl of Funk Mon Nov 9 12:12pm EST

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    Just beat Minnesota and I'll believe.
  23. Steven
    158. Posted by Steven Mon Nov 9 11:42am EST

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    Wow I am a Bengal fan and have been for years I always thought I would be above all the name calling however with that said I must call one of my own an IDIOT post 121 LanaB, The first thing that jumps out is the number of spelling errors (airs) for you. The second thing is correct me if I,m wrong but don't we have a black coach too, and it was Chris Henry who also got hurt on the play not Chad.
  24. <i>r_bartolotta</i>
    157. Posted by r_bartolotta Mon Nov 9 11:27am EST

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    As a Ravens fan, I have to agree that it does sometimes look like they receive bad calls. Unfortunately, they have earned a reputation for shady playing and the refs are watching them very closely. When that happens you end up with some false-positives and some things that the other team slide by. A lack of discipline is what has brought this on and this is what has held them back from having a much better record. The Ravens have over 500 yards of penalties this season and you can't tell me that, barring some of those penalties, that they wouldn't have won a few of the games they lost. Flacco is good, but he isn't good enough to overcome the problem of being placed back 10 yards and having to try to go 29 yards on a third down due to one of his teammates stupidity.

    BTW, what the hell happened to protecting the quarterback at the end of the game.
  25. 14Rulez
    156. Posted by 14Rulez Mon Nov 9 11:08am EST

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    oh poor old ravens overated defense. ray, ray, tsuggs, what is t he matter punks?
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