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Game Preview: Bengals at Ravens

Written by Ken D. Sheeks
Sunday, 07 September 2008
The Bengals head to a storm-dampened Baltimore on Sunday, where they will help the Ravens open the season at M&T Bank Stadium for just the second time in nine years. Cincinnati, which turned in a 2-2 preseason record, comes to town amid enormous controversy. Their star running back has been shipped out of town, their star offensive tackle has been cut (and is now a Raven), and their star wide receiver has changed his name. However, no team in the NFL had a farther drop than the Ravens (1-3 in preseason) did in 2007, and they're looking to improve. Among the 11 losses a year ago were two to Cincinnati, which itself completed a below-average 7-9 campaign. In 2007, the Bengals won, 27-20, in the Monday night season opener. Baltimore also dropped a 21-7 contest to the Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in November. That was the third defeat during a nine-game losing streak for the 2007 Ravens. The Bengals have dominated the recent series with the Ravens, winning six of the last seven games played between the teams. The last Ravens' victory (26-20) came in Baltimore in November of 2006. Quick Points The Ravens open the season at home for the fifth time in 13 years. Baltimore has played just two of its last nine openers at home. The Ravens are 4-8 in season openers and 2-3 in those contests played in Baltimore. Baltimore is 13-11 all time against the Bengals, including a 9-3 mark at home. However, Cincy has won three of the last four games played at M&T Bank Stadium. Since 2003, these two teams have compiled the most interceptions in the NFL, with Cincinnati's 103 to the Ravens' 101. The Ravens have reached the postseason three out of the four years they've won their season opener. The only time they didn't make the playoffs was after winning their first game in 1996. Opponent Highlights Currently, when teams preview the Ravens, they focus on the strong defense. For the Bengals, the attention goes to the offense. Both teams will try to be more balanced this season. Marvin Lewis hired Mike Zimmer as his new defensive coordinator. Zimmer did the same job for the Falcons in 2007 after serving the same position for the Cowboys the previous seven seasons. Helping Cincinnati attempt to improve from its 27th spot in the NFL's defensive rankings is No. 1 draft choice Keith Rivers, the outstanding LB from Southern Cal. The Bengals' defense also features a duo of top corners: starters Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall ('07), both of whom were first-round picks as well. The offense is directed by Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer, who missed Cincy's preseason finale because of a broken nose. Palmer's targets include a pair of 2007 standouts, the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The Bengals added free agent TE Ben Utecht (Colts) and brought back troubled WR Chris Henry (who is suspended through Week 4) to give them a receiving quartet as good as any in the NFL. A veteran O-Line is led by a pair of outstanding tackles: Levi Jones on the left side and Stacy Andrews--the departed Willie Anderson's replacement--on the right. They Said It Derrick Mason, on Chad Johnson legally changing his name: "I don't know. I think that's a slap to your mother's face when you try to legally change your name. My mother gave me the name Derrick Mason for a reason, so I'm going to keep it. But I know that he does it all in fun. In this business, the more attention you get, the more money you get paid, especially the way he plays. The guy is unbelievable at that position. He garners the attention on the field. He's not just talking the talk." Head Coach John Harbaugh: "I don't know if I'll have jitters on Sunday. I'll be excited. Who wouldn't be? We're opening at home against a division rival, a team that beat us twice last year. We'll all be excited and popping out of our skin. We'll be ready. We've worked hard for this."
Last Updated ( Monday, 08 September 2008 )