Week 17 Match-Up: Cincinnati Bengals
Game Time: 4:15 est.
Preview:
The Cincinnati Bengals at 9-6 must win to get into the playoffs, if they lose the will need a lot of help from other teams to have a chance. The Ravens (11-4) have their eyes set on winning their division or face a tough road as a Wild-Card team. The Ravens are 5-0 versus the AFC North, yet struggled on the road at 4-3. The Cincinnati Bengals are 4-3 at home and 0-6 versus teams with winning records.
In week 11 in Baltimore, the Bengals lead by rookie QB Andy Dalton lit up the Ravens secondary for 373 yards and a TD. Dalton did have 3 interceptions and S Bernard Pollard and DE Pernell McPhee each had a sack. Rookie McPhee’s sack sealed the victory for the Ravens 31 to 24. QB Joe Flacco had one of his best games of the year throwing for 270 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
CHALK IT UP:
WR A.J. Green vs. Ravens Secondary: Rookie Green is having an amazing season; 63 rec., 1031 yards 7 TD’s this season. If the Ravens don’t contain Green it could be a long day. Obviously, CB Lardarius Webb adds solid cover for the team, he has 5 INT’s on the season. Rookie Jimmy
QB Andy Dalton vs. The Ravens Pressure/OLB Suggs: Rookie Andy Dalton has had success passing for 3166 yards, 20 TD’s and 13 INT’s. The defense must get pressure to contain the big passing plays. The Ravens have 47 sacks on the season, but have been relatively quite in the sacks department the past few games. Key Match-up: LT Andrew Witworth vs. OLB Suggs: If the Ravens are to have improved sack numbers by Suggs and the unit as a whole, they should make adjustments. Such as, adding some stunts, overloads or blitzing safeties off the edge.
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