 |   |  |
KEY MATCHUPS
OCTOBER 11, 2009
Sunday marks an early-season showdown for first place in the AFC North with the 3-1 Bengals heading into that den of inequity in Baltimore against the 3-1 Ravens. While the Bengals.com roundtable gives a split decision to the Ravens, our two former NFL players with double digit years of experience say the Bengals are going to be in the playoff hunt for the duration of ’09.
Big Bird even suggests they are playing with house money at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s not make-or-break if they lose,” Big Bird says, “and if they win it makes their season because they’d have beaten all three teams and are in the driver’s seat. But they just haven’t looked consistent in any phase for me to pick them to beat Baltimore at home.”
“I see them losing a close one down there, say 21-13, but I also see them having a shot at the playoffs this season,” The Sage says. “They play the Ravens and Browns well at home and they play well in Pittsburgh, so, yeah, they can survive this and still move on.”
The Eye, the third member of the Bengals.com roundtable who is an NFL scout with knowledge of the AFC North, gives the Bengals the edge with a dangerous passing game while noting that the Chiefs and Chargers put up 24 and 26 points, respectively, against Baltimore throwing the ball.
But The Table thinks the home game is a huge edge.
“I hated going into Baltimore,” Big Bird says. “It’s extremely loud and it never stops. It’s a big factor and their team feeds off it. Once they get going, it’s hard to stop their momentum with the crowd into it.”
 | |
That’s how The Sage thinks the Bengals can win this game, but doesn’t think they’re willing to open it up and go long. “They’ve reverted to being the old Ravens. They trying to give it back to their defense in good shape," the Sage says. “If they look downfield and protect Carson, there are plays to be had. Ed Reed is banged up and their corners are small. Chad has to have two or three inches on Domonique Foxworth. If you look in the past, Carson has beaten the Ravens going long.” Indeed, check the rivalry. The Ocho and T.J. Houshmandzadeh combined for 340 yards in ’04. Houshmandzadeh broke up a tight game in ’06 catching a 40-yard bomb and The Ocho started the ’07 season with a 39-yard over-the-shoulder grab. But that’s because the Bengals find the guy that is single-covered away from Reed and his 44 career picks and his NFL all-time best 26.4 return yards. Reed has picked Palmer three times, but not since 2004. "If Reed gets his hand on the ball in Baltimore he’s going to score,” Big Bird says, “and I don’t think Carson is as sharp as he’s going to be later in the year and right now that’s a dangerous matchup for the Bengals.” | |
| |
This is why Coats and Foschi aren’t nearly the blockers that Kelly is and why should they be? They only have a couple of years experience. But Suggs and Johnson are the same cats that have racked up some big numbers against the Bengals, like Suggs’s 5.5 sacks. “I think Whit is doing well and he’d be OK at home," Big Bird says. "But Baltimore is just a terribly loud place to play and the one time I saw Whit have trouble was against Dwight Freeney in a dome. I’m not saying these guys are like Freeney, but it’s like playing in a dome. They get you off the snap count late.” C “Cook has done a good job in there making the calls and getting guys lined up,” The Sage says. “He’s settled in and I think they’re in better shape on that part of the line over last year. “Ngata’s a very strong guy and Cook will be over him or Kelly Gregg. I don’t think they’re as good against the run as people think. They’re good and I think the Bengals will have their hands full, but I don’t think they’re quite what they are in the past. I think the Bengals offensive line has played well. I think they can protect.” | |
| |
The Eye says that Carr may be the best nickel corner that the Bengals face this year, so Caldwell, dinged up last week in the shoulder, is looking to have a better outing in the slot than he did in Cleveland last week, where he caught one third-down pass. But it was a big one for 24 yards. “This is the kind of game that is going to be real physical, guys grabbing, pounding each other and Caldwell will get an eyeful,” The Sage says. “I think Andre is good and will get better. But he just doesn’t have the experience of a T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) yet. T.J. was used to it getting real physical in the slot and that guy is going to have to be available to beat one-on-one and to catch some quick throws because that ball has to get out of there in a hurry.” “I still think Chad is going to be a huge factor on the outside,” Big Bird says. “And I have to pick them against these corners. I think they’re uncomfortable going against Chad. I think it’s a matchup that Foxworth doesn’t feel good about. Look at what Chad does against Baltimore (15.4 yards per catch).” | |
| |
The Ravens have unwrapped Flacco and he’s dangerous in a versatile offense that can grind it out and beat defenses deep. “The safeties have to be careful,” The Sage says. “They can’t get too wrapped up in the running game because Flacco is going to throw it deep. You know that. It’s going to be a guessing game, and if they get the running game going it will be impossible for those two guys to guess what Flacco is doing.” “Don’t buy what you hear,” Big Bird says. “Baltimore isn’t going to throw it 50 times against the Bengals. They’re going to do what they always do against the Bengals and smash it on them. Especially in Baltimore. They’re going to try and hit the Bengals in the mouth.” | |
| |
“I think this is a matchup that Peko can win and it’s a big one if they want to stop the running game,” The Sage says. “I thought Peko would be a little more dominant at this point in the season, but he’s still having a good year. He’s quick and plays hard.” The Eye says with the Baltimore tight ends beat up, the Ravens have been running basically out of a two-back set with big 260-pound fullback Le’Ron McClain leading the way. With Lorenzo Neal gone the Ravens don’t pound that Jumbo package anymore with McClain carrying the ball. | |
| |
In his first NFL game last year, Rivers twice got fried on reverses and the Ravens haven’t stopped the gadgets. They also come with Rice and McGahee on screens, and Troy Smith in the Wildcat so these two young guys have to be ready for it all. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer compares Rice’s toughness and elusiveness to Emmitt Smith and The Eye says McGahee might not be able to run away from defenders but he still has big burst at the point of attack. “The young backers have to be careful about being too aggressive on the screens,” Big Bird says. “That’s why they run them.” | |
| |
Rookie offensive tackle vs. NFL sack leader in his first start at left tackle. It might spell disaster, but Odom is impressed on film with Oher, the Ravens No. 1 pick. | |
Palmer
Coats
Caldwell
Williams
Peko
Rivers
Odom
