Ravens-Bengals Preview

This is the type of game that players love but keeps the coaching staff up at night worrying about an emotional letdown. Fresh off a dominating 36-7 victory over Philadelphia, the Ravens should dominate the Bengals as the two teams are going in opposite directions.

The Ravens will need to avoid looking past Cincinnati and ahead to next week's game with the Washington Redskins on Sunday night. Though the Bengals (1-9-1) are last in total offense, playmakers like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh can still hurt a secondary that played extremely well last week but is still battling injuries. Ryan Fitzpatrick can make plays with his arm if the defense cannot apply consistent pressure.

Look for the Ravens to take some early shots downfield and then settle into the running game. In the season opener, Baltimore rushed for 229 yards and dominated the time of possession by nearly 13 minutes in the 17-10 victory over Cincinnati.

The key to an easy victory will be jumping ahead early. The longer the Ravens leave the Bengals in the game, Cincinnati's confidence will grow, making it difficult to pull away. The Ravens need to crush the Bengals' spirit early, making them quit.

This is the kind of game that often plagued the Brian Billick-led Ravens. It's easy to look past this game and chalk it up as a victory, but John Harbaugh consistently preaches to his players to live in the moment and not think about what's down the road. Trailing Pittsburgh by one game in the division, the Ravens know how important every game is down the stretch.

The Ravens have not swept the season series with the Bengals since 2002 and have not won in Cincinnati since 2004. Look for both of these streaks to end Sunday as Joe Flacco makes Bengals fans miss what they have in Carson Palmer.

The Ravens' exotic defensive looks will confuse Fitzpatrick, leading to a few turnovers to give Flacco and the offense a shorter field.

The prediction: Ravens 27-16

Eagles-Ravens Preview

Though the Ravens should already be highly-motivated trying to bounce back from last week's humbling 30-10 loss to the New York Giants, head coach John Harbaugh faces his old team for the first time. Having spent 10 years as an assistant in Philadelphia, Harbaugh hopes to show Andy Reid and the Eagles his head coaching pedigree. Harbaugh and Reid have much respect for each other.

The 6-4 Ravens are still in the middle of the AFC playoff race but need a win to remain one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Ravens are currently tied with three other AFC teams (Indianapolis, Miami, and New England) battling for Wild Card spots.

On the other hand, the 5-4-1 Eagles find themselves in last place in the brutal NFC East after a rare tie with Cincinnati last week. While Philadelphia is still in the playoff mix, a loss to the Ravens would provide a canyon to climb out of in the NFC.

The Eagles will attempt to exploit a Ravens' secondary that continues to bend but not break without cornerback Chris McAlister and safety Dawan Landry, both on injured reserve. Philadelphia's fourth-ranked passing offense will try to mix short passes to running back Brian Westbrook and shots downfield to rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

The Ravens will need to get consistent pressure on quarterback Donovan McNabb to prevent the Eagles' passing game from finding its rhythm. Despite holding a solid 84.7 quarterback rating, McNabb has thrown five interceptions in his last three games.

Westbrook and the Eagles' running game will have a difficult time getting anything going on the ground, facing the third-best rush defense in the league.

On the other side, the Ravens will try to crank up the running game against the Eagles' 11th-ranked rush defense. It's no coincidence the Ravens win when they run the ball successfully. Of the Ravens' four losses, they failed to rush for more than 132 yards in any game. The Eagles will need to keep an eye on running back Ray Rice, as the rookie brings more diversity to the Ravens' backfield.

The Ravens' banged-up offensive line must protect quarterback Joe Flacco from the Eagles' dangerous blitzing packages. Adam Terry is expected to start at left tackle in place of the injured Jared Gaither. Right tackle Willie Anderson is expected to return to the starting lineup. The Eagles have sacked the quarterback 36 times this season, tied for first in the NFL.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason is still bothered by a sore shoulder but is Flacco's best receiver. If the offensive line can keep Flacco upright, Mason will be able to move the chains against the Eagles' secondary.

This game comes down to how well the Ravens will be able to run the ball against the Philadelphia defense and how effectively McNabb can pass on the Baltimore secondary. The Ravens' running game will allow the home team to control the clock, keeping the Eagles' talent passing game off the field.

Playing before the M&T Bank Stadium crowd for the first time in a month, the Ravens will be on a mission to avenge the humiliating loss to the Giants. The Eagles will be competing for their playoff lives but will come up short in Baltimore.

The prediction: Ravens 21-17

History Repeating Itself? Ravens Hope Not

The Baltimore Ravens were flying high, having won four in a row and three straight road games, heading into last Sunday’s battle against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The confident 6-3 Ravens had visions of an upset on their minds.

What followed was a humbling 30-10 defeat in which the Ravens were brutalized by the same style of play that they have proudly used against others over much of the past decade. The Ravens’ intimidating defense surrendered 207 yards on the ground, their highest total allowed since 1997.

As the Ravens pick up the pieces and prepare for Sunday’s game with the Philadelphia Eagles, one has to wonder how a team for which few had high expectations entering the season will respond. After taking such a strong hit to their pride at Giants Stadium, will the Ravens wilt down the stretch with a difficult schedule still to come? Or, will they show the same resiliency they did bouncing back from a 41-3 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in early October to start a four-game winning streak?

The Ravens’ veteran leaders hope to avoid a conclusion similar to what the team experienced only four years ago.

Much like the current team, the 2004 Ravens were gaining more and more confidence with a 7-3 record in late November, heading into New England to take on the Super Bowl champion Patriots. The defending AFC North champion Ravens were determined to prove they belonged in the elite company of the Patriots. A win would put them in prime position for a playoff spot.

Second-year quarterback Kyle Boller was showing improvement after putting up two-straight 200-yard performances in wins against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens’ offense was finding its stride going into New England despite injuries to tight end Todd Heap and running back Jamal Lewis.

After playing the Patriots to a 3-3 tie at halftime, the Ravens were demolished in the second half and lost 24-3. Patriots running back Corey Dillon ran all over the Ravens’ defense on his way to 123 rushing yards. Boller and the offense managed only 124 total yards against a stingy Patriots defense.

Though a win was not expected, the effect of the humbling loss was huge. The Cincinnati Bengals came to Baltimore the following week with a 5-6 record and little hope for the playoffs. The situation was perfect for the Ravens to get their season back on track with a victory.

The game went according to plan for three quarters with the Ravens building a seemingly insurmountable 20-3 lead by the end of the third quarter. However, the Ravens’ defense that had entered the New England game as the top-scoring unit in the league allowed 24 points and three touchdown passes by Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter, leading to a 27-26 loss before a shocked M&T Bank Stadium crowd.

The back-to-back losses initiated a 2-4 finish, leaving the 9-7 Ravens out of the playoffs.

While most of the 2004 team has since departed, including the entire starting offense except tight end Todd Heap, defensive veterans such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs hope to avoid a similar finish to this season.

One has to wonder what potential damage the loss to the Giants will do to the psyche of the defense. Anyone that has ever watched the Ravens’ defense knows the confidence and swagger it brings to the gridiron every week. What lasting effect will it have knowing the Giants seemingly imposed their will on the Ravens in the same way they are used to doing to others?

The loss to the Giants was not unexpected, but the way in which the Ravens were physically dominated was startling.

Perhaps the most troubling reality for the Ravens entering the season’s final six weeks is the increasing number of injuries. Already with a league-high 16 players on injured reserve, including three defensive starters, offensive tackles Jared Gaither, Adam Terry, and Willie Anderson are battling injuries. With a rookie quarterback playing in intense games down the stretch, unstable tackle play could spell disaster for the Ravens’ offense.

Though Joe Flacco did not have much success through the air, last Sunday’s performance was more unlucky than bad. Despite seemingly having nerves of steel, can Flacco continue to maintain the same poise in late November and December? Head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the staff have to be cognizant in monitoring the young quarterback down the stretch.

Flacco is the real deal and the future of the franchise, but few rookies have been able to thrive when the stakes are high late in the season. Supporters point to Ben Roethlisberger leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 mark and the AFC Championship game in 2004, but recently, Roethlisberger’s former coach Bill Cowher described him as being exhausted, both physically and mentally, at the end of the season.

These issues will be watched closely, starting with Sunday’s game against the Eagles. Much like the Bengals game in 2004, the Ravens seemingly have a winnable game against a struggling opponent. Though the Eagles are more formidable than the 2004 Bengals, they sit in last place in the NFC East at 5-4-1 with their playoff hopes in serious need of a victory.

The Ravens’ defense must regain its confidence and not allow quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles’ offense to get back on track after struggling last week in Cincinnati. A loss, coupled with injuries, could send the Ravens on a similar path to what they experienced in 2004.

It is time to see if the Ravens can lift themselves up from adversity and regain their swagger heading down the stretch. Only then will we know they can avoid repeating the same history that took place four years ago.

Ravens-Giants Preview

The Baltimore Ravens have proven they are a good football team, entering Week 11 on a four-game winning streak including three straight on the road. Sunday's game gives Baltimore the opportunity to show they deserve to be mentioned in the NFL's elite.

Traveling to Giants Stadium to take on the Super Bowl champions will be a daunting task. Quarterback Joe Flacco will be pressured by the best front four in the NFL. The Giants' defense is so effective, because they do not have to blitz to pressure the quarterback, allowing the linebackers to drop into pass coverage. Look for the Ravens to use Ray Rice on draws and short passes out of the backfield to keep the linebackers close to the line of scrimmage.

This will be a classic case of each team trying to impose its will on the other as both pride themselves in running the ball and stopping the run. New York's top-ranked running game will be tested against the best run defense in the league. Brandon Jacobs brings a freakish combination of size (264 pounds) and speed, but the Baltimore defense never backs down from a challenge. Linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott will have to keep an eye on Derrick Ward, a receiving threat out of the backfield.

This game will be decided by the quarterbacks where the Giants have the edge. The Ravens will contain the Giants' running game, but the secondary will have difficulty stopping Eli Manning and the Giants' passing game. Plaxico Burress presents a matchup problem, as cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Samari Rolle lack the height to defend the jumpball. The Ravens must find a way to pressure Manning, or he will gradually pick apart the secondary.

Flacco will have a difficult time finding open receivers while being pressured by defensive ends Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. Having wide receiver Derrick Mason (dislocated shoulder) on the field would be a major boost, but he will be a game-time decision. Tight end Todd Heap will need to be involved in the passing game as he was last week against Houston. If the offensive line can give Flacco enough time, the Ravens will test the New York secondary with the deep ball.

Flacco has exceeded nearly everyone's expectations in his rookie season, and he will have to do it again for the Ravens to pull off the upset. The Ravens will bring a courageous effort, proving they belong in the playoff hunt, but will come up short at The Meadowlands.

The prediction: Giants 20-17

Ravens-Texans Preview

The Ravens will feel some extra motivation when they travel to Houston to take on the Texans on Sunday. This was to be their bye week, but the game originally scheduled for Sept. 14 was postponed due to Hurricane Ike.

The Texans are reeling after losing linebacker, and leading tackler, Zac Diles for the rest of the season due to a broken leg and quarterback Matt Schaub (knee) for a few games, helping the Ravens' chances of winning their third straight road game.

The Ravens' defense will be tested by the 4th-ranked offense in the NFL. Explosive wide receiver Andre Johnson may prove to be the secondary's biggest challenge of the entire season. The return of cornerback Samari Rolle, out for the last six games, will help to neutralize the Texans' dangerous passing attack.

Houston's 23rd-ranked run defense will struggle to stop the Ravens' three-headed monster of Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and Le'Ron McClain at running back. The Ravens will once again attempt to control the game on the ground, keeping the Houston offense on the sideline.

The Ravens need this win badly before the difficult stretch of playing the NFC East begins next week. A loss here creates a steep path to the playoffs with the difficult part of the schedule looming ahead. Quarterback Joe Flacco builds on his stellar day in Cleveland by throwing two touchdown passes while the defense contains quarterback Sage Rosenfels and the Houston offense after allowing Johnson to catch a touchdown pass.

Prediction: Ravens 24 Texans 13

Ravens Throw Away Old Script

It appeared to be the same exhausted script in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

After taking an early 10-0 lead and outplaying the Cleveland Browns for much of the first half, the Baltimore Ravens allowed their lead to vanish after giving up a late second-quarter field goal to make the score 13-13 at halftime. It appeared the Ravens would summon the ghosts of last season, outplaying a team early, only to fall apart in the second half on their way to another loss.

Quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense promptly went three-and-out to begin the second half before Cleveland return specialist Josh Cribbs returned a punt 32 yards, setting up a Braylon Edwards 28-yard touchdown catch, giving Cleveland the 20-13 lead.

Here we go again. How would the offense respond? Another three-and-out. We’ve seen this story before.

It got worse when running back Jason Wright caught a 7-yard touchdown pass on the next drive. Cleveland was ahead 27-13. The Ravens’ secondary, decimated by injuries, appeared to be on life support, unable to slow the Browns’ passing attack. Surely, the offense would not be able to help the Ravens’ tiring defense.

Time to change the channel, right? Not so fast.

Flacco and the offense responded with an inspiring drive covering 11 plays and 79 yards. Fullback Le’Ron McClain’s 1-yard touchdown run put the Ravens in striking distance.

All right, at least they’re going to make it respectable.

Then, on the Ravens’ first drive of the fourth quarter, Flacco hit Derrick Mason on a 28-yard touchdown, tying the game.

Wait a minute. Is this really the Ravens’ offense?

The offense would orchestrate another drive for the game-winning field goal on their way to an impressive 37-27 victory in an AFC North battle. Besides keeping pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers and improving their playoff chances, the Ravens showed things are changing in Baltimore.

Over the past decade, the Ravens’ defense would always have to rescue the inept offense. A big play from Ray Lewis or Ed Reed would turn a surefire defeat into an unlikely victory for the Ravens. Very rarely would former coach Brian Billick’s offense provide the spark to make the difference late in the game.

So naturally, on those rare occasions when the defense would begin to falter, as it did in the third quarter on Sunday, there was little hope.

Enter Flacco and Cam Cameron. The rookie quarterback and new offensive coordinator have brought confidence to the defense’s ugly stepsibling. A group that for years was only asked to “not mess it up” for the defense is now showing it can contribute when the defense needs the assist.

Instead of panicking and abandoning the strong running game, as the coaching staff often did in past seasons when falling behind, Cameron stuck to the game plan. From the time Cleveland took a 27-13 lead until Matt Stover kicked a 22-yard field goal to put the Ravens ahead 30-27, the Ravens ran a total of 21 plays, 10 passes and 11 runs.

The defense needed a lift? No problem, said Cameron. If the offense is able to continue in doing so, the Ravens can be a factor in the AFC after few expected it.

How did the defense show its appreciation to the offense for picking up the slack? Linebacker Terrell Suggs crushed Cleveland’s faint hopes by intercepting a screen pass and returning it 42 yards for the touchdown.

So that’s what a team victory looks like.

Of course, the defense still reigns supreme, ranked 2^nd in the NFL, while the offense is a modest 19^th, but those paying close attention can see the subtle shift taking place.

It started back in April when general manager Ozzie Newsome drafted Flacco in the first round and running back Ray Rice in the second. Rice ran for 154 yards on Sunday in place of the injured Willis McGahee.

The Ravens are committed to building a more-balanced team, especially as the punishing defense continues to age. There is more work to do, as the front office still needs to address the wide receiver position in the offseason, but Sunday provided a glimpse into a brighter future for the Ravens’ offense.

Championship teams do not have to have a record-breaking defense to carry a struggling offense as the 2000 Ravens did. Teams like that only come along every 40 or 50 years. One unit cannot do it alone, as the Ravens have painfully learned in the seasons following their victory in Super Bowl XXXV. A championship team needs an offense, defense, and special teams that can provide a lift to one another when the game is on the line.

Sunday provided a sample of what coach John Harbaugh and Newsome envision for the Ravens moving forward.

"We're going to be a dynasty," said Harbaugh earlier this season. "If you're not willing to say it out loud, how do you expect to get there?"

Harbaugh’s plan is clear. While defense remains king in Baltimore, the offense is beginning to show it’s ready to play.