The Ravens host the Bengals in the first of two Monday night games.
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Football bettors get a treat with two games to bet on Monday night. In the first of MNF’s offerings, AFC North rivals butt heads when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens. To get a better grip on this classic grudge match, we went to the guys who know these teams inside and out – their expert bloggers. Mickey Mentzer of Bengals blog
WhoDeyFans.com and Justin Silberman of Ravens blog
Ravens24x7.com debate why their squad will win and cover on Monday Night Football.
THREE REASONS WHY CINCINNATI WILL COVER
Mickey Mentzer owns WhoDeyFans.com. You can follow him on twitter at @whodeyfans and hear him every Wednesday on the WhoDey Weekly podcast presented by SPNT.TV.Cincinnati will move the ball through the airLast season versus the Ravens, Andy Dalton had 373 yards of passing offense and the game was not decided until the final minute. This season, Dalton has an even more impressive arsenal of wide receivers at his disposal. With A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham leading the group, the Bengals should have the same kind of success in the passing game against the Ravens on Monday night.
The Ravens defense is oldRay Lewis is 37, Ed Reed is 34. Yes, both are great players, but in the last few seasons you can see Father Time catching up. The Ravens have infused some younger talent, but the core of the defense is getting old. The Bengals are a young team that does not carry the baggage of teams in the past. Dalton, Green and the slew of other young players have no knowledge of the Bengals of the 90's. This team is fresh off a playoff berth and looking to improve in their second year.
The Bengals defense is goodSure, the Bengals are beat up at cornerback. One thing that makes a team’s secondary much better is a strong pass rush and the Bengals have one of the best. One could argue that Geno Atkins is one of the most disruptive defensive lineman in the league. With the run-stopping Domata Peko surrounded by a rotation of Robert Geathers, Michael Johnson, Devon Stll, Jamaal Anderson and Brandon Thompson the Bengals will pressure Flacco into making bad decisions.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Bengals 24, Ravens 17
Cincinnati will surprise people on Monday night with a strong passing game and consistent run attack. The defense will be the talk on Tuesday morning as they limit the Ravens offense and disrupt the offensive plan the Ravens try to implement. WhoDey!
THREE REASONS WHY BALTIMORE WILL COVER
Justin Silberman writes for Ravens24x7.com/ Russellstreetreport.com. You can follow him on twitter at @RussellStReport and @Jsilbe3.Feed Ray RiceThe more Ray Rice touches the ball, the more effective the Ravens’ offense is. In 2011, when Rice didn’t have at least 20 touches, the Ravens were 0-4. But when the 5-foot-8, 212-pounder exceeded 20 touches, the team was 12-0. In the teams’ two meetings last season, Rice rushed for 295 yards (104, 191) and had four of his 15 total touchdowns against a Bengals unit that finished 10th in rushing defense.
Bengals' offensive line woesThe Bengals will be without the services of left guard Travelle Wharton and center Kyle Cook for the season. In their places, Cincinnati will start rookie fourth-round draft pick Clint Boling at left guard and veteran Jeff Faine at center. While Faine has started and played in 117 games, he has struggled at the point of attack against big, physical defensive lineman. He will have his hands full Monday night, as he’ll likely be matched up against All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
Baltimore’s home-field advantageLast season, the Ravens were 8-0 in the regular season at M&T Bank Stadium. In the John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco era, the Ravens are 4-0 in season-opening games, which includes three victories in Baltimore. Since 2008, the Ravens are 3-1 at home against head coach Marvin Lewis’ squad.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Ravens 27, Bengals 17
Rice and backfield mate Vonta Leach will set the tone in the running game, which will open up the passing game for Flacco and Co. On the defensive side, despite the loss of Terrell Suggs, the interior of the Ravens’ defensive line will prove to be too overwhelming for a beleaguered Bengals’ offensive line. The Ravens have plenty to play for but with the passing of former owner Art Modell early Thursday morning, they have that much more to play for now.
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