CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-3) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-3)
Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET, CBS, Direct TV (708), Sirius (Cin 112, Bal 92)
Why Watch
To see the improbable Bengals face the inexplicable Ravens. Cincinnati is one of the two surprise teams of the AFC. Buffalo is the other. The Bengals’ loss to the Steelers in a tough battle counts as a moral victory, but they need real wins if they are to compete for the postseason. The Ravens are legitimate contenders after sweeping the Steelers, but they have lost to teams they should have crushed. They will not zone out against the upstart Bengals. The winner will tie the idle Steelers for division lead.
What To Watch
It may be a quarterback-centric passing league, but asking Joe Flacco to attempt 52 passes against a team like the Seahawks last Sunday carries the trend too far. Seattle won on the strength of Marshawn Lynch’s 32 rushing attempts. Ball control and time of possession are as important as passing. Baltimore was never so far behind Seattle to abandon the ground game so completely. Watch if they learned that lesson against Cincinnati.
QB Andy Dalton is the face of the Bengals, but Cincinnati’s fourth-ranked defense powers their rush to the top. Cincinnati’s No. 1 rush defense gives Baltimore every incentive not to hand off to Ray Rice. DE Carlos Dunlop (Questionable) missed the Steelers game, but may play against the Ravens. On offense, Dalton may a key partner if fellow rookie A.J. Green misses the game. Green, Cincinnati’s leading receiver, is listed as Doubtful. Jerome Simpson matches Green in yards per catch, but he only snags 45 percent of passes thrown to him. Like Baltimore, Cincinnati should rely on the ground game in a contest that already figures to be low scoring.
There is a big name in the Ravens’ injury list, however, as Ray Lewis could be out this weekend. Look for the Ravens’ depth on defense to rise to the occasion if that happens, though.
Who Will Win
Baltimore’s play rises or falls to the level of competition. The Bengals are a quality opponent, so the Ravens should give a quality effort. Baltimore.
