Baltimore -2.5 (-115) at Cincinnati
Ravens
Offense (Key Team Stats)
Total YPG: 7th (378.7)
Points Per Game: 4th (28.4)
Passing YPG: 10th (253.9)
Rushing YPG: 10th (124.9)
Offensive Summary:
The Ravens travel to Cincy after beating up on the undefeated broncos last week at home. Before the Denver game the Ravens had lost three in a row. The Bengals are coming off a bye week and had extra time to prepare for this Ravens team. The Ravens offense has done very well this season, they are 4th in total offene in the league. Flacco had a productive game last week against the #1 ranked defense in the NFL, he had an 80% completition rate and this week he goes against the 30th ranked passing defense in the league. The Bengals have given up a lot of yardage this season, but they have held teams out of the end zone, they are 6th in points allowed on defense. But if they keep allowing team a lot of yardage how long will they be able to hold teams to 3? I think that the Ravens will do a good job moving th eball against this Bengals D and will put up touchdowns in this one. Ravens will use Flacco to open up holes for Mcgahee and Rice. I think Flacco is getting a lot better as a QB and will continue to have success against the 30th ranked passing defense. The Ravens are 3rd in the league in 3rd down conversion rate and I think that they will continue to have success on offense and will control the ball in this one.
Defense (Key Team Stats)
Total YPG: 13th (313.7)
Points Per Game: 11th (19.6)
Passing YPG: 19th (226.1)
Rushing YPG: 4th (87.6)
Defensive Summary:
Some say that the Ravens defense is not back. that the Broncos simply did not exploit the holes of the ravens secondary. I think that is partially correct, The ravens defense is not as strong as it used to be. But, I do think that they have fixed their issues in giving up the big plays. The Ravens still have a fierce defense leed by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, it will not be easy for Carson Palmer to march down the field on sunday. In week 5 the Bengals rushed for 142 yards, I do not think they will go over 100 on sunday. The Bengals had a great rushing game in the last match-up and palmer only had a 58% completition rate and the Bengals put up 17 points. I think that the Ravens offense has improved since week 5 and will be better than they were in week 5. I am giving the advantage to the defense in this second match-up and even though the bengals are home I think Palmer wil struggle to get things done on sunday. The Ravens are holding teams to only 3.5 yards a carry this season and I don't think that Benson will be able to get things started on sunday, one major advantage the Bengals have on this side of the ball is all of their weapon's at reciever. Palmer has 3 quality wide-outs at his disposal.
Bengals
Offense (Key Team Stats)
Total YPG: 13th (345.9)
Points Per Game: 15th (23.3)
Passing YPG: 18th (218.1)
Rushing YPG: 9th (127.7)
Offensive Summary
The Bengals have a lot of close wins this season. Carson Palmer has done a great job this season at the end of games to put up TD"s to put his team ahead. The Bengals have had a great rushing game this season, which has made things great for Carson Palmer in his passing attack. The Bengals have a lot of playmakers on offense and will look to expose some of the holes in the ravens come sunday. The Bengals ran all over the Ravens last matchup and I expect them to try and do that again on sunday. Except I don't think they will be able to run well in this one. Carson Palmer is going to have to have a great game passing the ball for the Bengals to win this one. I expect the Ravens to shut down the Benson and will force Palmer into 2nd/3rd and long. The Bengals will be looking to 85 a lot in this game. The Ravens have had an issue this season in giving up the big play, the Bengals will look to exploit the holes in the ravens secondary.
Defense (Key Team Stats)
Total YPG: 21st (341.3)
Points Per Game: 6th (18.3)
Passing YPG: 30th (253.3)
Rushing YPG: 5th (88)
Defensive Summary:
The Bengals are top 10 in the league under certain defensive categories and are in the bottom 10 under others. This week they go up against a ravens team that has changed to a passing first team. The Bengals are 30th in the league in passing defense and they must slow down the Ravens passing offense. The Bengals have allowed a lot of yardage this season but they also have kept teams out of the endzone. The Bengals have been building their defense and this is the best defensive unit they have had in years. The Ravens are averaging 4.6 yards per carry so far this season and the Bengals must make sure and slow that down as well.
Summary:
Overall I think that the Ravens will continue to get their season back on track. The Bengals are no push over team anymore and they have a lot of good players in place to make a playoff run. But I think that the Ravens are the better team, even though they may be without Ngata on sunday I expect the Ravens to win this one. The Bengals had a great rushing attack in their last match-up and still only put up 17 points. The Ravens are 4th in the league in total offense and I think they will control the ball and win this game.
Final Score Prediction: Ravens 24/Bengals 17
The Play: Ravens -2.5