Reilly
11-03-2005, 04:36 AM
Cincinnati (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?teamId=4) (6-2, 3-1 away) at Baltimore (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?teamId=33) (2-5, 2-1 home)
Why To Watch
The Ravens will host divisional leader Cincinnati in an AFC North showdown. This game features two organizations heading in opposite directions, though the Ravens did show signs of life in their Monday night loss. QB Carson Palmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6337) will look to continue his hot streak against a good Ravens secondary. Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski must come up with ways to attack a defense that continues to play at a high level, even without MLB Ray Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3542) and SS Ed Reed (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5910).
Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will again focus on stopping the run and attacking Palmer with an assortment of multiple blitzes when the Bengals pass. Ravens head coach Brian Billick must keep his team from falling apart and challenge it again to play at the level it did against the Steelers.
The Ravens will attack on the ground with a combination of Jamal Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5034) and Chester Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6142) against a Bengals run defense that is allowing 125 yards per game. QB Anthony Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4951) cannot make mistakes against a Bengals defense that is leading the league in takeaways.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/cin_34_rf.jpgWhen the Bengals have the ball
Rushing: RB Rudi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5548) is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, and the Bengals are averaging 116.6 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens had to shuffle four spots on the defense due to the injuries of MLB Lewis and SS Reed and only allowed 101 yards rushing to the powerful Steelers attack last week. The Bengals will continue to spread the field, rely on the running game and force the Ravens to attack with seven men in the box. By spreading the field in their up-tempo style, the Bengals will have more space and better angles to attack the Ravens' sound run defense. The Ravens will focus on shutting down Johnson and forcing the Bengals into being a one-dimensional attack.
The Bengals have great size along their offensive line and will need to control the line of scrimmage against a tough, feisty interior defensive line led by LDT Kelly Gregg (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4823) and NT Maake Kemoeatu (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6163). The Ravens are very active in their movement fronts and alignments and can cause problems within the Bengals' blocking patterns. They also do a good job of controlling blocks off combination patterns and allowing their linebackers to be free hitters to the ball.
Backup MLB Brat Scott (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6165) replaced the injured Lewis and finished with five tackles last week. Scott is a fast, athletic linebacker who has made a name for himself as a special teams player. OC Rich Braham (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2832) and FB Jeremi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6454) must do a good job with their angles and technique as they create running lanes on the second level for Rudi Johnson. Also, the Bengals' receivers on the perimeter have been inconsistent as run blockers and must do a better job of maintaining and controlling their blocks on the outside against a fast and aggressive secondary.
Passing: QB Palmer had a 102.2 passer rating last week, his 10th 100.0-plus rating in the last 11 games. His streak of nine in a row was stopped by the Steelers in Week 7. The Bengals are averaging 247 yards per game through the air, while the Ravens are allowing 152.8 yards a game. This is a great matchup between the Ravens' secondary and the Bengals' receiving corps. The Bengals will spread the field and focus on attacking key mismatches within a secondary that is missing SS Reed. Look for the Bengals to attack the middle and try and split the seams with the deep post off play-action.
A key matchup to watch will be WR Chad Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5483) on either RCB Samari Rolle (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4305) or LCB Chris McAlister (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4658) depending on the situation, but look for Ravens coordinator Ryan to try and double Johnson underneath with a safety or linebacker, which will result in a lot of one-on-one situations for Chris Henry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7259) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5652).
Also, look for Ryan to blitz the formation with overloads and all-out pressures based on the Bengals' offensive personnel and down and distance. It will be critical for RDE Terrell Suggs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6346) to win his one-on-one matchup with LT Levi Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5896) and force Palmer to peek at the rush rather than look down the field.
Another key matchup in third-down situations will be slot receiver Houshmandzadeh against nickel corner Deion Sanders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=589). Also, look for the Ravens to be physical off the edge and force situational RB Chris Perry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6785) to alter his release point and limit his catches in the passing game. Perry has been very productive in the Bengals' attack and is second on the team in receptions with 38 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals will look to make explosive plays in the passing game, while the Ravens must create turnovers for their struggling offense.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/bal_34_rf.jpg When the Ravens have the ball
Rushing: The Ravens continue to struggle in the running game, and RB Lewis again finished with under 100 yards rushing for the seventh consecutive game. Two of the key things that have hurt the Ravens' rushing attack this season have been the season-ending injury to FB Alan Ricard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5779) and the loss of former offensive line coach Jim Colletto, who departed to the Oakland Raiders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=oak).
Look for the Ravens to continue to attack against a Bengals defense that has struggled at times to stop the run. Lewis will have a big role this week as the Ravens will want to run the ball to set up the play-action pass. The Ravens' zone blocking patterns are designed for an offensive lineman to block a defender in his gap, depending on where the play is designed to go. The Bengals' struggles against the run this season have resulted mainly because during the growth of a young, developing defense, each individual player in the front seven has struggled with his gap integrity and responsibilities.
The Bengals are receiving good, productive play from MLB Odell Thurman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7224) and WLB Brian Simmons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4281). Thurman continues to play at a high level, although there are times where he has made mistakes in his gap responsibilities based on his inexperience. LDE Justin Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5451) continues to flourish in Marvin Lewis' defensive scheme as an active one-gap player vs. the run. Smith leads the Bengals' defensive linemen in tackles and should have a productive day in his matchup with RT Orlando Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3018). The Bengals' game plan on defense will focus on stopping the Ravens' rushing attack and forcing Anthony Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4951) to make mistakes down the field.
Passing: The Ravens have struggled since Wright took over for the injured Kyle Boller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6355), with the offense ranking near the bottom of most league statistics. The Ravens are averaging only around 200 yards per game through the air, while the Bengals are allowing 195.3 yards per game. With their five interceptions last Sunday, the Bengals now have 20 interceptions and are plus-20 in turnover differential.
Look for Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel to continue to spread the field with TE Todd Heap (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5478) and WR Derrick Mason (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3988) to create mismatches they can attack. Mason leads the team in receptions with 44 for 492 yards and leads the NFL in third-down catches with 16 for 155 yards. However, look for the Bengals to exploit this strength with overload pressures and zone-fires due to the struggles of a Ravens' offensive line that has given up 17 sacks.
RB Lewis and change-of-pace back Taylor will be called upon again to protect inside-out and help out on the edges before releasing up the field against a Bengals pass rush that only has 11 sacks. The Ravens are going to have to take more chances down the field against the Bengals SS Ifeanyi Ohalete (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5741) and FS Kevin Kaesviharn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5831). Both are competent backups who are starting due to injuries (S Madieu Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6815) has been placed on injured reserve).
Also, look for the Ravens to continue to utilize Taylor out of the backfield in the short and underneath areas of the passing game against the Bengals cover 2 schemes. Taylor doesn't have great speed, but he has very good vision and is an asset in the passing game. The Ravens did a better job of converting on third down Monday night, but they continue to struggle in their red-zone efficiency.
Why To Watch
The Ravens will host divisional leader Cincinnati in an AFC North showdown. This game features two organizations heading in opposite directions, though the Ravens did show signs of life in their Monday night loss. QB Carson Palmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6337) will look to continue his hot streak against a good Ravens secondary. Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski must come up with ways to attack a defense that continues to play at a high level, even without MLB Ray Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3542) and SS Ed Reed (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5910).
Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will again focus on stopping the run and attacking Palmer with an assortment of multiple blitzes when the Bengals pass. Ravens head coach Brian Billick must keep his team from falling apart and challenge it again to play at the level it did against the Steelers.
The Ravens will attack on the ground with a combination of Jamal Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5034) and Chester Taylor (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6142) against a Bengals run defense that is allowing 125 yards per game. QB Anthony Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4951) cannot make mistakes against a Bengals defense that is leading the league in takeaways.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/cin_34_rf.jpgWhen the Bengals have the ball
Rushing: RB Rudi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5548) is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, and the Bengals are averaging 116.6 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens had to shuffle four spots on the defense due to the injuries of MLB Lewis and SS Reed and only allowed 101 yards rushing to the powerful Steelers attack last week. The Bengals will continue to spread the field, rely on the running game and force the Ravens to attack with seven men in the box. By spreading the field in their up-tempo style, the Bengals will have more space and better angles to attack the Ravens' sound run defense. The Ravens will focus on shutting down Johnson and forcing the Bengals into being a one-dimensional attack.
The Bengals have great size along their offensive line and will need to control the line of scrimmage against a tough, feisty interior defensive line led by LDT Kelly Gregg (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4823) and NT Maake Kemoeatu (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6163). The Ravens are very active in their movement fronts and alignments and can cause problems within the Bengals' blocking patterns. They also do a good job of controlling blocks off combination patterns and allowing their linebackers to be free hitters to the ball.
Backup MLB Brat Scott (http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6165) replaced the injured Lewis and finished with five tackles last week. Scott is a fast, athletic linebacker who has made a name for himself as a special teams player. OC Rich Braham (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2832) and FB Jeremi Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6454) must do a good job with their angles and technique as they create running lanes on the second level for Rudi Johnson. Also, the Bengals' receivers on the perimeter have been inconsistent as run blockers and must do a better job of maintaining and controlling their blocks on the outside against a fast and aggressive secondary.
Passing: QB Palmer had a 102.2 passer rating last week, his 10th 100.0-plus rating in the last 11 games. His streak of nine in a row was stopped by the Steelers in Week 7. The Bengals are averaging 247 yards per game through the air, while the Ravens are allowing 152.8 yards a game. This is a great matchup between the Ravens' secondary and the Bengals' receiving corps. The Bengals will spread the field and focus on attacking key mismatches within a secondary that is missing SS Reed. Look for the Bengals to attack the middle and try and split the seams with the deep post off play-action.
A key matchup to watch will be WR Chad Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5483) on either RCB Samari Rolle (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4305) or LCB Chris McAlister (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4658) depending on the situation, but look for Ravens coordinator Ryan to try and double Johnson underneath with a safety or linebacker, which will result in a lot of one-on-one situations for Chris Henry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7259) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5652).
Also, look for Ryan to blitz the formation with overloads and all-out pressures based on the Bengals' offensive personnel and down and distance. It will be critical for RDE Terrell Suggs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6346) to win his one-on-one matchup with LT Levi Jones (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5896) and force Palmer to peek at the rush rather than look down the field.
Another key matchup in third-down situations will be slot receiver Houshmandzadeh against nickel corner Deion Sanders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=589). Also, look for the Ravens to be physical off the edge and force situational RB Chris Perry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6785) to alter his release point and limit his catches in the passing game. Perry has been very productive in the Bengals' attack and is second on the team in receptions with 38 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals will look to make explosive plays in the passing game, while the Ravens must create turnovers for their struggling offense.
http://espn.starwave.com/nfl/gamepackage/i/helmets/bal_34_rf.jpg When the Ravens have the ball
Rushing: The Ravens continue to struggle in the running game, and RB Lewis again finished with under 100 yards rushing for the seventh consecutive game. Two of the key things that have hurt the Ravens' rushing attack this season have been the season-ending injury to FB Alan Ricard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5779) and the loss of former offensive line coach Jim Colletto, who departed to the Oakland Raiders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=oak).
Look for the Ravens to continue to attack against a Bengals defense that has struggled at times to stop the run. Lewis will have a big role this week as the Ravens will want to run the ball to set up the play-action pass. The Ravens' zone blocking patterns are designed for an offensive lineman to block a defender in his gap, depending on where the play is designed to go. The Bengals' struggles against the run this season have resulted mainly because during the growth of a young, developing defense, each individual player in the front seven has struggled with his gap integrity and responsibilities.
The Bengals are receiving good, productive play from MLB Odell Thurman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7224) and WLB Brian Simmons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4281). Thurman continues to play at a high level, although there are times where he has made mistakes in his gap responsibilities based on his inexperience. LDE Justin Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5451) continues to flourish in Marvin Lewis' defensive scheme as an active one-gap player vs. the run. Smith leads the Bengals' defensive linemen in tackles and should have a productive day in his matchup with RT Orlando Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3018). The Bengals' game plan on defense will focus on stopping the Ravens' rushing attack and forcing Anthony Wright (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4951) to make mistakes down the field.
Passing: The Ravens have struggled since Wright took over for the injured Kyle Boller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6355), with the offense ranking near the bottom of most league statistics. The Ravens are averaging only around 200 yards per game through the air, while the Bengals are allowing 195.3 yards per game. With their five interceptions last Sunday, the Bengals now have 20 interceptions and are plus-20 in turnover differential.
Look for Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel to continue to spread the field with TE Todd Heap (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5478) and WR Derrick Mason (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3988) to create mismatches they can attack. Mason leads the team in receptions with 44 for 492 yards and leads the NFL in third-down catches with 16 for 155 yards. However, look for the Bengals to exploit this strength with overload pressures and zone-fires due to the struggles of a Ravens' offensive line that has given up 17 sacks.
RB Lewis and change-of-pace back Taylor will be called upon again to protect inside-out and help out on the edges before releasing up the field against a Bengals pass rush that only has 11 sacks. The Ravens are going to have to take more chances down the field against the Bengals SS Ifeanyi Ohalete (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5741) and FS Kevin Kaesviharn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5831). Both are competent backups who are starting due to injuries (S Madieu Williams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6815) has been placed on injured reserve).
Also, look for the Ravens to continue to utilize Taylor out of the backfield in the short and underneath areas of the passing game against the Bengals cover 2 schemes. Taylor doesn't have great speed, but he has very good vision and is an asset in the passing game. The Ravens did a better job of converting on third down Monday night, but they continue to struggle in their red-zone efficiency.