A message from the enemy - Bengals vs. Ravens

[BengalByTheBay]

Mike Ditka, on the Pittsburgh a.m. sports talk radio show, ended his segment by stating that the Ravens should not be the underdog in this game, and that they will win this game outright.

I don't have a problem with that - they were 13-3 last year and we were 8-8. Need to prove it on the field, which I expect will happen, but I don't expect to necessarily be favored.

We're giving up 2.5 pts at home, which means that the bookies are considering BAL to be a half-point better after figuring the 3pt home field advantage. Seems more than fair considering the results of last year.

I'll be brutally honest - if I were being a neutral observer, I'd take BAL and the points. But since I'm not, screw em.

I totally agree with this. Not to mention the fact that there's nothing particularly remarkable to go on from preseason for either team -- certainly nothing overtly positive in favor of the Bengals, I'm surprised the line isn't a little lower. That said, the Bengals have a good handle on the rats the last couple of years and last year -- absent the early hole created by McNeal's fumble -- could have been a close shot at a sweep. I never wager on the Bengals due to lack of objectivity, but I think it's fair to say that a FG could win it so I would probably take the Bengals to cover this one.

[The PatternMaster]

I love outsiders with unbiased opinions--welcome moon!

I'm a hardcore bengals fan, but some of these opinions about a Bengals blowout seem like opinions from a 12 yr old...how old are you PatternMaster??

So because I think we will win big, I'm 12. Your pathetic.

Old enough to know that nobody knows how the game will turn out, old enough to know that we have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL and that Baltimore can NOT cover our wr's, old enough to know that Balt had problems scoring points last year and this year there o-line is worse and their wr's are either old(Mason) or banged up(Clayton), old enough to know that without a good line McGahee is barely avg., old enough to know that our defense will step to the challenge and put McNair on his ass all night, old enough to know that Ray Lewis is more rah-rah than a playmaker and their best playmaker left via FA last year, old enough to know that Samari Rolle gets owned everytime we play them.

How old are u?

[cincyhokie]

I love outsiders with unbiased opinions--welcome moon!

I'm a hardcore bengals fan, but some of these opinions about a Bengals blowout seem like opinions from a 12 yr old...how old are you PatternMaster??

So because I think we will win big, I'm 12. Your pathetic.

Old enough to know that nobody knows how the game will turn out, old enough to know that we have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL and that Baltimore can NOT cover our wr's, old enough to know that Balt had problems scoring points last year and this year there o-line is worse and their wr's are either old(Mason) or banged up(Clayton), old enough to know that without a good line McGahee is barely avg., old enough to know that our defense will step to the challenge and put McNair on his ass all night, old enough to know that Ray Lewis is more rah-rah than a playmaker and their best playmaker left via FA last year, old enough to know that Samari Rolle gets owned everytime we play them.

How old are u?

That was awesome.

[Kazkal]

I don't see what the problem is with being confident,We've won 4 out of the last 5 games with the ravens with the one loss being the result of chris perrys early return fumble.Last year as horrible as our defense was we still could handle the ravens offense no problem so with out defense should be better then last year (hard to get worse then what we were)

[HairOnFire]

I'll be brutally honest - if I were being a neutral observer, I'd take BAL and the points. But since I'm not, screw em.

Agreed. In fact, if I were betting on this game I'd be willing to put my money on the Ravens without getting any points.

That said, as a Bengal fan, and a founding father of the Blind Homers, I'm simply looking for a realistic scenario that results in a Bengal victory....and it's not hard to find. Opening week. Home field. Rare MNF appearance. Very familiar opponent. Getting up for this one shouldn't be difficult.

[The PatternMaster]

I don't see what the problem is with being confident,We've won 4 out of the last 5 games with the ravens with the one loss being the result of chris perrys early return fumble.Last year as horrible as our defense was we still could handle the ravens offense no problem so with out defense should be better then last year (hard to get worse then what we were)

Excatly, had not Perry fumbled the opening kickoff which was returned for a touchdown I believe we would have won that game.

Why do people think the Ravens are so good? I know they went 13-3 last year but that was last year and their team has a completely different look.

They got rid of their starting rb and they let their best defensive playmaker leave in FA, their o-line is in shambles to the point were they have a 6-9 statue who can't handle a speed rusher starting at LT, they couldn't even score a touchdown in the one playoff game they played in.

Damn I thought this was a messageboard for Bengals fans.

[BengalByTheBay]

I don't see what the problem is with being confident,We've won 4 out of the last 5 games with the ravens with the one loss being the result of chris perrys early return fumble.Last year as horrible as our defense was we still could handle the ravens offense no problem so with out defense should be better then last year (hard to get worse then what we were)

Excatly, had not Perry fumbled the opening kickoff which was returned for a touchdown I believe we would have won that game.

Why do people think the Ravens are so good? I know they went 13-3 last year but that was last year and their team has a completely different look.

They got rid of their starting rb and they let their best defensive playmaker leave in FA, their o-line is in shambles to the point were they have a 6-9 statue who can't handle a speed rusher starting at LT, they couldn't even score a touchdown in the one playoff game they played in.

Damn I thought this was a messageboard for Bengals fans.

That's right it was Perry, not McNeal. Subconsciously I must have repressed the recollection of Chris Perry actually having played in a game last season.

[Kazkal]

Main reason I remember it was perry was because even the announcers pointed out it was Chris's first time returning kicks since highschool..

[Jet23]

We do tend to focus on the Bengal's flaws, while ignoring those of the other team. I think this game will be ugly and it is a coin flip for me. There are just a lot of questions with the OL, LB & WR's. If TJ can't go (thanks to me drafting him in ffb) there will be a whole lot of Ravens on Chad.

I obviously want them to win, but they really can not afford any more significant injuries. Losing this game will not be the end of the world. I still say they can have a really strong 2nd half of the season. I am betting the under though...

[mgilgris]

I am of course a loyal bengals fan and think that they will have a strong year, BUT unfortunately i do not believe that Marvin has this team ready to compete. He does have the excuse that the injuries have taken a huge toll but I do not think that we will be able to overcome the lack of experience or the injuries come Monday night.

Adrenaline from playing in the jungle will only get us so far, and having all these injuries does nothing for our experience, timing and ability to throw Baltimore off. In past Ravens games we beat ourselves with the mentioned turnovers on both the kickoff fumble by C. Perry and Carsons immediate pickoff on the next drive. I fear that our timing due mainly to injuries will be off on the line throwing our whole offense into turmoil. Our defense has too much inexperience, to be able to capitalize on many turnovers unless we can provide sufficiently more pressure upon McNair.

Regardless, these are just ones mans opinion.... and i hope to god i am wrong.

Who dey

[BengalszoneBilly]

Billy, give moon some zone dollars...

I seem broke as well, but even if I did have some, I wouldn't hand them out to a Ravens fan no matter how friendly and football knowlegeable they may seem!

[deadone]

Just getting back to the messages. A few responses, and thanks for the input.

1. I like message forums because at times the information from fans exedes most media outlets, you get a real gauge of the state of a football team. Despite the 'homer' factor which is normal.

2. The only dog I really like is Atlanta (over Vikings).

3. I can't tell you how the Ravens offense will perform. What I am very sure about is the state of the Defense. Despite the loss of Thomas, this is actually a better D. With very talented 2nd year players Landry and Ngata, the light is about ready to completely turn on. Ngata will make Pro Bowl next year after he gets recognition. Jarret Johnson, who replaces Thomas partially, is not as atheletic. But this it is really a minor downgrade. Slightly less effective in pass coverage, but actually more aggressive against the run, and as many will see, he has a 'beast factor'. Very little is lost. Rolle had a great camp. This could be his best year in some time (ankle seems fine). Scott and Suggs are at the top of their game. Reed is Reed. This is a killer D. Ray Lewis is in excellent physical condition. These are things I can tell you are true. Not trying to predict. Low points are in order for most oppenents.

4. Clayton is healed. Ankle should not be a factor.

5. The Bengals have generally outplayed the Ravens in recent games. Making it close.

Outside of this - I don't know. I wonder if Willie Anderson is going to make the game. Still don't know bout Ogden.

[duus]

(It still has me beside myself that we have a Ravens fan here who seems completely normal, a fan nonetheless, knows football, has good/bad objective things to say about both teams, yet maintains an obvious bias toward his own team ... but in a respectful manner of the site he is on ... yet after 16 years in Pittsburgh, I have not found a single Steeler fan that would talk the same way concerning Bengals/Steelers. Not a one. Even those that start off good have to get that 'jab' in there. They always come away with this air of complete arrogance and superiority. Oh, if I could find that guy I would change my attitude. Fear not ... he does not exist. And if he appeared to exist, all other Steeler fans would disown him.)

[BengalszoneBilly]

All I have to say is where is member "moon" now that the Ravens got bitch slapped in Cincy?

[HoosierCat]

He came back and tipped his hat...good man IMHO.

http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=15817

[kenyon1977]

I love outsiders with unbiased opinions--welcome moon!

I'm a hardcore bengals fan, but some of these opinions about a Bengals blowout seem like opinions from a 12 yr old...how old are you PatternMaster??

So because I think we will win big, I'm 12. Your pathetic.

Old enough to know that nobody knows how the game will turn out, old enough to know that we have one of the most dynamic passing offense in the NFL and that Baltimore can NOT cover our wr's, old enough to know that Balt had problems scoring points last year and this year there o-line is worse and their wr's are either old(Mason) or banged up(Clayton), old enough to know that without a good line McGahee is barely avg., old enough to know that our defense will step to the challenge and put McNair on his ass all night, old enough to know that Ray Lewis is more rah-rah than a playmaker and their best playmaker left via FA last year, old enough to know that Samari Rolle gets owned everytime we play them.

How old are u?

Nice.

So far I've found since joining this board that if you're new and you don't completely explain your point with references and links then everyone jumps on your s**t. This is supposed to be fun but so far I've gotten the feeling I better be writing a damn term paper just to post.

[kenyon1977]

As a bettor you adjust the line slightly when looking at the teams.

Starting Line is CIN -2.5 points

Home Team +1.5 so Cincy 3.5

Monday is calling for rain, more established run game goes to Cincy, .5

so cincy by 4.0

Defense rank (normally after a few weeks of the season) Ravens 1.0 Cincy by 3.0

Rain Plus Def Rank .5 Cincy by 2.5

Offense rank usually goes to Cincy here but a line that's just getting some players back right now I won't adjust. They haven't replaced Henry at 3rd WR either.

Overall when I place my bet the line wouldn't adjust too much for this game. I'd throw my money down for Cincy to cover the field goal and hope nothing spectacular happens like two Ravens Defensive TD's.

Hmmmm that was the only free one to those of you that gave me s**t. Betting the NFL is easier than that girl we all knew in high school, you know who I'm talking about.

[BengalszoneBilly]

He came back and tipped his hat...good man IMHO.

http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=15817

Well he could have replied where I could find it quickly. I guess he's off the hook.

[Riagogogoindanati]

Welcome to BZ..................

[BengalszoneBilly]

Whatever happened to Blurple Thunder?

After MOndays loss, he turned into "Blurple Drizzle" fo shizzle!