USN Bengal Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=300919004 Ravens-Bengals: 10 observations Insider By Ken Moll Scouts Inc. Baltimore at Cincinnati bal When: 1:00 PM ET Watch: CBS More scouting reports: Week 2 cin Scouts Inc. Position Advantage QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach Cin Balt Cin Balt Balt Balt Cin Cin Balt After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Ravens-Bengals matchup. 1. Stay balanced offensively: Joe Flacco was forced to put the ball in the air throughout last week's contest because of how aggressively the Jets' defense was playing. The Bengals will be more conventional with their defensive approach, and staying balanced with a good mix of run and pass will be important for Baltimore. 2. Stretch the field with seven-step drops: The Bengals' defense didn't generate much pressure on the quarterback in Week 1 and the Ravens have multiple wide receivers as well as a tight end who can stretch the field. Look for more seven-step drops with Flacco delivering the ball on a variety of vertical routes in this matchup. 3. Stop the run first: It will be important to make Cincinnati one-dimensional on offense. The Bengals have a talented quarterback as well as capable targets in the passing game, but letting them move the chains on the ground would be a mistake in this matchup. Look for Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison to focus on stopping the run first. 4. Bring pressure up the middle: Carson Palmer is an excellent pocket passer when he has time to set his feet and deliver the ball. He is less effective when he has to improvise out of the pocket. Look for plenty of safety and inside linebacker blitz packages by Baltimore. 5. Matchup to watch: Ravens WR Anquan Boldin versus Bengals cornerbacks: Boldin is a very strong, physical wide receiver who can outmuscle most perimeter defenders. Both Cincinnati cornerbacks (Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph) have good size and can also be physical in coverage. Look for this battle to be key as Boldin was Flacco's favorite target in their Week 1 victory. Flacco is likely to look to him again in this tough divisional road contest. 6. Get the passing game going early: The Ravens are very stingy versus the run and this is a case where the play-action passing game could set up the run as the game progresses. The Bengals are equipped to spread a talented Baltimore defense out and make it defend the entire field. Look for offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski to use a good dose of high-percentage routes early in the contest. 7. Take shots downfield in the passing game: The Ravens are an aggressive defense with a variety of pressure packages, but the Bengals should be able to counter by stretching the field with Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and talented rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham. Bratkowski may utilize more maximum protection to go vertical in the passing game. 8. Keep Ray Rice bottled up: Rice was the Ravens' leading rusher and receiver in 2009. The coaching staff makes a concerted effort to get him the ball between the tackles and as a receiver out of the backfield. Limiting Rice's production gives the Bengals their best chance at a victory in Week 2. 9. Generate points in the kicking game: The Ravens are tough to score on and the Bengals' staff may have a wrinkle or two on special teams to change field position, momentum or even generate points. Attacking Baltimore's special teams with a new look is probably an approach that Cincinnati will take. 10. Matchup to watch: Bengals OT Dennis Roland versus Ravens OLB Jarret Johnson: Roland is a big, strong tackle with solid technique and reactions as a pass-blocker. Johnson often flies under the radar as an edge rusher but has been one of the Ravens' most consistent defenders. This will be a key matchup, especially if the Bengals focus on establishing the passing game. Prediction adv: cin Baltimore 20 Cincinnati 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Numbers| Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 [url]http://www.kambour.net/NFLPreds.html[/url] [quote]Ravens 21 Bengals 17[/quote] I am a homer. I believe it will be very different. This year I am batting a thousand unfortunately. MHEO (my humble expert opinion): Ravens 10 Bengals 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scales Posted September 15, 2010 Report Share Posted September 15, 2010 I think I'll email Bobby my super play. Then it will be 17 - 14 in favor of the Bengals. I'm also taking matters into my own hands . . . I'll be suiting up to rush the passer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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