Week 17- Ravens Week Part Deux : Game moved to 4:15

[oldschooler]

[b] [size=6]Can Ravens overcome injuries, inconsistent play?[/size][/b]

[b] [size=6]Banged-up team will have to rise to occasion vs. Bengals to lock up first-round playoff bye[/size][/b]


By Kevin Van Valkenburg, The Baltimore Sun

8:04 p.m. EST, December 26, 2011
It's no mystery how high the stakes will be for the Ravens in their regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. But what is a mystery — and will likely remain one until kickoff — is what kind team is going to show up.

How much will injuries and the team's track record of inconsistent play on the road this season affect Baltimore's chances of securing its first division title since 2006? That's the question no one can answer right now, even Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

"We're on a course to be as good as we can be," Harbaugh said when asked whether he was comfortable with the way his team was playing on the cusp of the playoffs. "We're working hard to do that. We don't have to play any games that are behind us, and we don't have to play any games that are off in our future. We have to play this one. Obviously, it's got major ramifications for what is in front of us, so that's our focus."

Trying to get healthy, and quickly, might be the Ravens' biggest area of concern. Right guard Marshal Yanda has a serious rib bruise as well as a thigh bruise, which makes him extremely questionable to play. There was some concern after the Cleveland Browns game that his ribs might be broken, so as long as the Ravens aren't concealing the severity of his injuries, there is a bit of a silver lining there. But cornerback Cary Williams and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe are both nursing concussions, and defensive end Cory Redding will likely be questionable once again with a sore ankle.

Harbaugh did confirm Monday that kick returner David Reed tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the Ravens' 20-14 win over the Browns, and that he'll have surgery soon to repair the damage to his left knee. But with the Bengals fighting for a playoff berth and the Ravens needing a win to secure a first-round bye, don't expect the team to be very forthcoming about the status of any of its injured players this week. Anquan Boldin no longer has swelling in his knee, Harbaugh said, but the wide receiver has already been ruled out until the playoffs, at the minimum.

Even though they got very little production from their wide receivers against the Browns, the Ravens, according to Harbaugh, aren't particularly interested in signing any veteran free agents to boost their passing attack. That should quash speculation the team might be interested in a reunion with Derrick Mason. Mason has been working as part-time analyst for the NFL Network since the Houston Texans released him last month.

"There's really not a lot of guys out there," Harbaugh said. "If anything, people have been signing guys off their practice squads for about the last six weeks very aggressively. Unless a name comes before us, which we have not seen yet, I'd say that's probably not going to happen."

One difficult decision the Ravens will have this week is what to do about their kicking situation. Harbaugh said Billy Cundiff is doing "really well" recovering from an injured calf but he wants to see him practice first before assessing the situation. Shane Graham filled in for Cundiff against the Browns and was successful on two field-goal attempts, but his kickoffs were not particularly deep.

"We're not going to carry two kickers into the game if Billy's kicking," Harbaugh said.

Even if they were relatively healthy, the Ravens would still have to answer questions about the way they've played, at least at times, away from M&T Bank Stadium this year. Baltimore's biggest win of the season came November at Pittsburgh, but the Ravens have also had ugly losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers away from home. Harbaugh said he wasn't going to change anything about his approach to road games before the Cincinnatti game.

"I think we've got a good routine," he said. "It's proven. We're going to try to play better in the games we didn't win on the road. That's the main thing. Obviously, the turnovers were a big factor in some of those games. So those are the things that will be our focus."

The Ravens should have a few advantages to balance out some of the factors working against them. Several players said after the first game against the Bengals that they were surprised by how talented quarterback Andy Dalton was. They vowed not to make that mistake again.

"When we first played them, we didn't know what Andy was about," said Lardarius Webb, who leads the Ravens this season with five interceptions. "We just thought he was a rookie. But that's not true. He's way more than a rookie. We're going to have to prepare for this guy, because this guy is going to come out playing Andy Dalton ball."

If you throw out the San Diego game, the Ravens have performed well in contests for which expectations were high. They might have a litany of issues, but they've also shown the ability to rise to the occasion, which they'll need to do on Sunday if they want to secure a home playoff game for the first time in five years.

"Big game. It's no secret," inside linebacker Ray Lewis said. "A division foe, we know each other; they know us, we know them. I think we know what's at stake. And at the same time, the Bengals have a lot of pride over there, too. Marvin Lewis is going to definitely have them ready to play."




http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-1227-20111226,0,465547.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+baltimoresun%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2Frss2+%28+Ravens%2FFootball%29

[oldschooler]

[b] [size=6]Bengals hope Simpson's flip propels them toward playoffs[/size][/b]


Two days later, folks were still talking about [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1272073/jerome-simpson"]Jerome Simpson[/url]'s 19-yard touchdown against Arizona that he finished off with a somersault. Whether or not it serves as a springboard to more success remains to be seen.

The [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/CIN/cincinnati-bengals"]Bengals[/url] need a win against Baltimore on Sunday to secure their second playoff berth in three seasons, and Simpson has had success against the Ravens. In last year's regular-season finale at Baltimore, he had a career-high 12 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. In the Week 11 loss game this season, he had a career-best 152 yards on eight receptions.

Simpson has always had the physical tools to be a great receiver, but it has been consistency and a huge learning curve that have held him back. Before the Arizona game, he had six receptions for 67 yards in his last four games, and he has seven games this season of two catches or fewer.

Coach Marvin Lewis said of Simpson's touchdown: "You just have to be careful. There are other ways to score. It's him and a linebacker, so just cut back and score the easy way. For effect, it sure was big."

The Bengals will need Simpson to come up big again. [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1673207/aj-green"]A.J. Green[/url] is still feeling the effects of his shoulder injury. Tight end [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1123667/jermaine-gresham"]Jermaine Gresham[/url] had a touchdown last week, but [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1244509/ryan-whalen"]Ryan Whalen[/url] and [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1803774/andrew-hawkins"]Andrew Hawkins[/url] combined for four catches for 23 yards.

Cincinnati is 6-2 under Lewis against the Ravens in games at Paul Brown Stadium.




http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/16610853/bengals-hope-simpsons-flip-propels-them-toward-playoffs

[McBallerson]

[quote name='bengalbutch' timestamp='1324913503' post='1079933']
Watch lots of tape to see how the Chargers kicked their ass
[/quote]

lot's of misdirection, if i remember correctly.

[EnglishBengal]

One question, if the Jets, Broncos, and us all lose, but the Raiders win, that would put us in a tie with the Raiders! Who would own that tiebreaker?

[Bengals1181]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/GeoffHobsonCin"]GeoffHobsonCin[/url] [color=#999999][size=3]Geoff Hobson[/size][/color]
[color=#999999][size=2]
[/size][/color]

[font=Arial,]
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Bengals"][s]#[/s][b]Bengals[/b][/url] WR Binns tweets he's promoted to roster. Indicates Caldwell to IR but nothing official yet[/font]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/GeoffHobsonCin/status/151746194119475200"]2 minutes ago [/url][size=2][url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Favorite[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Retweet[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Reply[/b][/url][/size]

[quote name='EnglishBengal' timestamp='1325014968' post='1080361']
One question, if the Jets, Broncos, and us all lose, but the Raiders win, that would put us in a tie with the Raiders! Who would own that tiebreaker?
[/quote]

Bengals.

[sparky151]

[quote name='EnglishBengal' timestamp='1325014968' post='1080361']
One question, if the Jets, Broncos, and us all lose, but the Raiders win, that would put us in a tie with the Raiders! Who would own that tiebreaker?
[/quote]

Raiders would be AFC west champs if they win and Broncos lose. If both teams win and Bengals lose, Raiders could be wild card.

[stan]

I like the part where Ladarius Webb says "We're going to have to prepare for this guy,because he is going to come out and play Andy Dalton ball"
Sounds like they have a lot of respect for him already.

[Bengals1181]

Binns replaced on the PS by another Bearcat. I expected the Bengals to bring in Hazelton far sooner. They were I think the only team that worked him out at his pro day.


[url="https://twitter.com/#!/Vidal_Hazelton7"]Vidal_Hazelton7[/url] [color=#999999][size=3]VidaL Hazelton[/size][/color]
[color=#999999][size=2]
[/size][/color]

[font=Arial,]
I want every Bengal fan to follow me I'm reading all these tweets and man I have to say you guys are some Cool People.[/font]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/Vidal_Hazelton7/status/151748295285407744"]25 minutes ago [/url][size=2][url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Favorite[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Retweet[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Reply[/b][/url][/size]
[color=#999999][size=2]Retweeted by [url="https://twitter.com/#!/LanceMcAlister"][b]LanceMcAlister[/b][/url][/size][/color]

[Bengals1181]

3. Is there concern with the Ravens' offense? Again? The temporary loss of[b]Anquan Boldin [/b]has rendered them rather mute in the passing game, as the Ravens failed to reach 300 yards of offense for the game and stalled several times in the second half against the Browns. [b]Lee Evans [/b]started in Boldin's place and had zero catches on four passes thrown his way. Now they get the plucky Bengals in a game that matters to both. The Ravens need the win to seal up the AFC North title, and with it would come a first-round bye. The Bengals are in with a win, although some combination of losses or ties from the Jets/Raiders/Broncos also can achieve that end. The good news for the Ravens is that the Bengals are especially adept at allowing teams to throw the ball, and[b]Torrey Smith [/b]had 165 receiving yards in the first contest, a 31-24 Ravens win. It was Smith's TD catch in that game in Baltimore that made it a 31-14 Ravens game early in the fourth quarter. Another rookie receiver, Bengals WR [b]A.J. Green[/b], looked hobbled last week and likely will remain gimpy with a shoulder injury. All signs point to less offense in this game than the first meeting.

4. [b]Marvin Lewis [/b]has the Bengals' attention. He has coached this team beautifully and has focused his young team's attention to the tasks at hand. Many thought they were dead after losses to the Steelers and Ravens, but this Bengals team has kept in the race and has an excellent chance to get in the playoffs. "We're playing for something special now," Lewis said. "It's all out in front of us." The question now: Are the people in Cincinnati paying attention? Paid attendance Saturday: 41,273. There will be more in the stands on Sunday, sure, as team officials are putting on the full-court press to sell tickets with a buy-one, get-one-free offer. But can the Bengals really count on a home-field advantage? The Ravens are vulnerable away from Baltimore (where they are 8-0), by going 3-4 away from home with losses to four teams that are likely to miss the playoffs. This game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET because it has big implications for both teams. You'd hope the atmosphere matches the importance of the game.

[url="http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/27/the-first-fifteen-week-17"]http://www.profootba...fifteen-week-17[/url]

[Tigris]

I'd put Clements on Smith at the line and have Nelson cover deep. I wouldn't let Clements be alone with Smith; not once. They should zone Smith every play... man to man is just asking for trouble.

[Bengals1181]

reedy just tweeted that Caldwell had been dealing with the groin injury since training camp.

[BengalsOwn]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1325019747' post='1080391']
reedy just tweeted that Caldwell had been dealing with the groin injury since training camp.
[/quote]

It sure sounds like a sports hernia to me

[DaltonGreen]

This past weekend i went to the ravens versus browns game at M&T Bank stadium (I live in Maryland for those of you that dont already know) and i proudly wore my Bengals bright Orange Andy Dalton jersey. and to no surprise i got heckled throughout the duration of the game and go some interesting comment from many drunk people to say the least. Having graduated from Towson University in Baltimore and being a football athlete myself i constantly hear from buddies that are ravens fans n i hope all of their mouths get shut up this weekend with out team at full stength and the ravens playing as poorly as they are. Not only are they banged up , but watching the browns game....FLACCO IS AWFUL!!! Ray Rice is their only weapon and they constantly check it down to him oon every play possible. SImply put if you stop him and avoid giving up the big play *(aka flacco's dead duck pass to torry smith while they hope for a pass interference penalty they will usually get). Im very confident going into this game, as i hope the players are. Needless to say i am forced to watch the ravens every week n feel as if they are nowhere close to as good as the media makes them out to be. AND FOR THE RECORD I DID NOT PURCHASE THE TIcKETS to the game, They were paid for by a third party. ALL in all ravens fans blow dick in their camo purple faggot pants and they talk non sense because they are soo far up good ol Joe Flaccos asshole to realize he sucks and ray rice is their entire team and their aging defense can drop dead this weekend. Sorry for the violence but living in the baltimore area all my life i have a lot of hate built up....

Sunday cant come sooon enuf! WHO DEY!!!!!!!!

[membengal]

DaltonGreen - I live in Baltimore- ...yeah, lots of denial from Ravens fans about Flacco, altho its starting to occur to a few of my Ravens fans friends that he might not be the second coming of Unitas.

And LOL on the patented Ravens throw the ball up and pray for a PI call. Just a bullshit part of their game plan.

[oldschooler]

[size=6][b]Caldwell to miss Ravens with IR move[/b][/size]

By GEOFF HOBSON

Posted 1 hour ago


Wide receiver Andre Caldwell, who has missed the last two games with a nagging groin/abdominal issue, went on the Bengals season-ending reserve list Tuesday and University of Cincinnati wide receiver Armon Binns has been signed from the practice squad to take his place on the roster.

It’s a tough break for the Bengals not to have Caldwell for Sunday’s 4:15 p.m. regular-season finale against the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. In his last two games against Baltimore he’s replaced the No. 1 receiver and ran by the Ravens cornerbacks to the tune of 10 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown.

With A.J. Green shelved in Baltimore last month, Caldwell caught a 49-yard touchdown pass. In last season’s finale in Baltimore he had a career-high seven catches and 94 yards that included a 39-yard bomb late that nearly set up a Bengals win.

And back in '09 he beat the Ravens, 17-14, on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left.

It remains to be seen if Caldwell has taken his last snap as a Bengal as he heads into free agency. He lost his job as the slot receiver when Jordan Shipley was drafted in the third round in 2010 and the job re-opened this season when Shipley suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament during the second game of the season. But the Bengals are searching for a consistent No. 2 receiver opposite Green and the guy who currently holds the position, Jerome Simpson, is a free agent with an uncertain future.

Last week Caldwell said he’s been fighting his injury since it shelved him for the first preseason game.

“It’s been hindering me lately; it just got overwhelming,” Caldwell said. “I felt like I was hurting the team more than helping them by being in there, so I decided to shut it down.”

For the last two weeks rookies Andrew Hawkins and Ryan Whalen have manned the slot and last week they combined for four catches for 23 yards.

The 6-3, 210-pound Binns has impressed in practices, but it’s doubtful he’ll be active. He’s replaced on the practice squad by fellow UC receiver Vidal Hazelton, signed by the Chargers back in July and released Aug. 31.




[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Caldwell-to-miss-Ravens-with-IR-move/fc34b064-47b8-4c38-a51a-110134cdb224"]http://www.bengals.c...1a-110134cdb224[/url]

[DaltonGreen]

[quote name='membengal' timestamp='1325021411' post='1080395']
DaltonGreen - I live in Baltimore- ...yeah, lots of denial from Ravens fans about Flacco, altho its starting to occur to a few of my Ravens fans friends that he might not be the second coming of Unitas.

And LOL on the patented Ravens throw the ball up and pray for a PI call. Just a bullshit part of their game plan.
[/quote]

Amen brutha, if we can get the job done this week we should def link up and watch a playoff game over a beer or three and who knows maybe we will indeed get the last laugh w/ all these purple camo wearing fools lol

[Rumble In the Jungle]

Sorry Amish but I called this one. Giants Cowboys was a sure lock to get that night game instead of us.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1325018385' post='1080384']
3. Is there concern with the Ravens' offense? Again? The temporary loss of[b]Anquan Boldin [/b]has rendered them rather mute in the passing game, as the Ravens failed to reach 300 yards of offense for the game and stalled several times in the second half against the Browns. [b]Lee Evans [/b]started in Boldin's place and had zero catches on four passes thrown his way. Now they get the plucky Bengals in a game that matters to both. The Ravens need the win to seal up the AFC North title, and with it would come a first-round bye. The Bengals are in with a win, although some combination of losses or ties from the Jets/Raiders/Broncos also can achieve that end. The good news for the Ravens is that the Bengals are especially adept at allowing teams to throw the ball, and[b]Torrey Smith [/b]had 165 receiving yards in the first contest, a 31-24 Ravens win. It was Smith's TD catch in that game in Baltimore that made it a 31-14 Ravens game early in the fourth quarter. Another rookie receiver, Bengals WR [b]A.J. Green[/b], looked hobbled last week and likely will remain gimpy with a shoulder injury. All signs point to less offense in this game than the first meeting.

4. [b]Marvin Lewis [/b]has the Bengals' attention. He has coached this team beautifully and has focused his young team's attention to the tasks at hand. Many thought they were dead after losses to the Steelers and Ravens, but this Bengals team has kept in the race and has an excellent chance to get in the playoffs. "We're playing for something special now," Lewis said. "It's all out in front of us." The question now: Are the people in Cincinnati paying attention? Paid attendance Saturday: 41,273. There will be more in the stands on Sunday, sure, as team officials are putting on the full-court press to sell tickets with a buy-one, get-one-free offer. But can the Bengals really count on a home-field advantage? The Ravens are vulnerable away from Baltimore (where they are 8-0), by going 3-4 away from home with losses to four teams that are likely to miss the playoffs. This game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET because it has big implications for both teams. You'd hope the atmosphere matches the importance of the game.

[url="http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/27/the-first-fifteen-week-17"]http://www.profootba...fifteen-week-17[/url]
[/quote]

I sent this guy an email, reminding him that AJ Green didn't even play in the last game, and Dalton still threw for over 350 yards. His reply:

[font="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"][size=2]You know, I forgot to mention that.

It’s a good point.

I think the Bengals are below the radar here. I like their chances.

ee[/size][/font]

[CincyInDC]

Raven fans in denial? ....... naaaaaawwww...

from my other board...

[attachment=935:woohoo.JPG]

[Oldcat]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1325030311' post='1080426']

I sent this guy an email, reminding him that AJ Green didn't even play in the last game, and Dalton still threw for over 350 yards. His reply:

[font=Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial][size=2]You know, I forgot to mention that.[/size][/font]

It’s a good point.

I think the Bengals are below the radar here. I like their chances.

ee
[/quote]

Part of the reason for the good passing yards is that the Ravens blitzed recklessly at times trying to rattle him. They were very impressed when it didn't work and he burned them. So they probably will be reluctant to press so hard, which may make the other phases of the passing game work better.

[oldschooler]

[url="http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/NFL-Network-Bengals-fever-122711/a4aea7ea-e15f-42cd-8391-0d15da5a9eb3#?id=a4aea7ea-e15f-42cd-8391-0d15da5a9eb3"][img]http://prod.static.bengals.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/NFLVideo/2011/12-December/09000d5d82577d0c_video_player_cp--nfl_thumb_105_70.jpg[/img][/url]

[url="http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/NFL-Network-Bengals-fever-122711/a4aea7ea-e15f-42cd-8391-0d15da5a9eb3#?id=a4aea7ea-e15f-42cd-8391-0d15da5a9eb3&channelName=Recent"]NFL Network: Bengals fever (12/27/11)[/url]
nfl
(5:09) Posted 12/27/11

[oldschooler]

[size=6][b]Bengals have to play bigger[/b][/size]
John Thornton
December 27th, 2011


I always feel comfortable in picking the Bengals to beat the Ravens, because it’s something that has happened a lot since Marvin Lewis has been head coach in Cincy. I picked the Bengals to win every game over the last month, including their last game in Baltimore. I was wrong on a few games, the big games. The Bengals haven’t won the “big game” all year. That has to change this week. It’s the perfect time to do it.

A lot is riding on this game for the players and the franchise. The players are essentially in playoff mode and the franchise looks to be trying to bring back their fan base after seeing a bunch of blackouts recently. If this game plays out like every other big game this season, the Bengals will lose. If things align correctly, the Bengals can start something pretty nice that could change the franchise for years to come.

If the Bengals beat the Ravens, they will shake that tag of not beating the big boys, and they will make it to the playoffs. They will most likely face the Houston Texans, the best possible match up for the young Bengals. What ever happens after that is gravy. You go into the off season with a big win to end the season, playoff appearance under your belt, two first round picks, and cash to spend in free agency. How can the Bengals fan base not like that? If the Bengals have any marketing sense, they will have hit the jackpot in year when most pegged them as the worst team in the NFL. So this is a big game on the field, and a big game off of it. The worst possible thing that could happen is a blowout loss, the kind that happened at Pittsburgh this year. The team looked like it couldn’t compete that day. You can’t end your season with that type of performance.

The Bengals NEED a big game from QB Andy Dalton. He hasn’t performed well in these spots this year, that has to change. He’s had enough experience, and should have learned enough from his prior mistakes that he can perform turnover free against the Ravens. The defense can’t get exposed like it did the last two times vs the Steelers and Ravens. It’s that simple.

I think the Bengals are ready. Judging from the players that I talked to this week, I think they are up for the challenge. It will be tough because the Ravens have played their best in big games this season, but that shouldn’t happen this week. I’m expecting a mini playoff atmosphere at PBS, no matter how many fans show up, and the players will feed off of that.





http://www.allproblogger.com/2011/12/27/bengals-have-to-play-bigger/

[Bengals1181]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/joereedy"]joereedy[/url] [color=#999999][size=3]Joe Reedy[/size][/color]
[color=#999999][size=2]
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[font=Arial,]
Besides Hazelton (who was signed to the PS) other [url="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23bengals"][s]#[/s][b]bengals[/b][/url]tryouts today were QB Mike Hartline, WR Cameron Kenney and WR Terrence McCrae[/font]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/joereedy/status/151860535850319872"]10 hours ago [/url][size=2][url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Favorite[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Retweet[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Reply[/b][/url][/size]

[oldschooler]

[size=6][b]NBC analysts aren't feeling good about Ravens[/b][/size]
[size=6][b]Dungy, Harrison think Bengals have a shot at upsetting Ravens[/b][/size]
By Edward Lee

6:00 a.m. EST, December 28, 2011

With just one game left in the regular season, the Ravens are in position to capture a first-round bye and a home playoff game for the first time since 2006. But the Ravens, who are competing with the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, for one of the top two seeds in the AFC, didn’t generate much enthusiasm from the NBC analysts who sit in on the network’s “Football Night in America” broadcast.”

Asked to rank those three teams, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said, “It kind of changes moment by moment. Right now, I’d have to say New England first, they’re on a seven-game winning streak; and then Baltimore and then Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s got some injuries.”

Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison offered a different order. “I like Pittsburgh at No. 2,” he said. “I like Baltimore at No. 3 because they can’t win on the road.”


The Ravens’ fate will largely depend on Sunday’s regular-season finale at the Cincinnati Bengals. A win, and the Ravens assure themselves of the No. 2 seed. A loss, and the Steelers can overtake them by beating the Cleveland Browns.

Harrison said the Bengals have an opportunity to pull off the upset.

“I like Baltimore, but Cincinnati has a chance,” he said. “They have to change that mentality, come out and play loose. Don’t get caught up in the moment … Come out and play aggressive, take it to the Baltimore Ravens.”

Dungy agreed. “They’ve got to stop [running back] Ray Rice,” he said. “I don’t like the way Baltimore’s played on the road.”



http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-nbc-analysts-arent-feeling-good-about-ravens-20111227,0,1697082.story

[oldschooler]

[size=6][b]Bengals' Benson plagued by fumbles[/b][/size]
[size=6][b]Running back ranks second in the NFL at his position in fumbles[/b][/size]

By Edward Lee

9:00 a.m. EST, December 27, 2011


Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson has been one of the more successful opponents of the Ravens', becoming in 2009 the first tailback since Jerome Bettis in 1996 to gain more than 100 yards twice against the Ravens in the same season.

This year, Benson is one of the NFL leaders in a dubious category: fumbles.

Benson is tied for second in fumbles by a running back with five. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew has fumbled more times (six).


All of five of Benson’s fumbles have occurred in the Bengals’ past two games. Cincinnati beat the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals, but coach Marvin Lewis said Benson must do a better job of protecting the football.

“You can't put the ball on the ground five times in that many attempts at any point, really,” Lewis said during his weekly news conference in comments distributed by the team. “That's a season's worth. Unfortunately, it's happened to us the last two weeks. We can't do that. Anybody that carries the football – quarterback, receiver, a guy that intercepts it or recovers a fumble – when you have the ball in your hands, we're all with you. And you've got us all on your back. If you give the ball up, you're killing our opportunity to win a football game.”




http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-bengals-benson-plagued-by-fumbles-20111226,0,2789918.story