What they are saying in Baltimore-part II (merged)

[membengal]

For my part, volcom, this thread isn't about what I am worried about, but reporting on what the ravens fans are saying.

And they are saying the Bengals are but a speed bump.

[HoosierCat]

Wow so nobody is worried about the Bengals coming out Flat off the bye week, like they have every year since Marvin has been here.

Well, maybe that's because they haven't come out flat after the bye, with the possible exception of 2007. Lets review:

2003: Bengals beat Baltimore 34-26. No flatness there.

2004: Bengals lose to Cleveland 34-17. Hard to call that flat as, in their previous four games, the O had scored 17, 9, 16 and 24; while the D had allowed 28, 23, 13 and 31. In other words, it was pretty much par for the course at that point.

2005: Bengals lose to Colts 45-37. Anything but flat there, we just got beat in a shootout.

2006: Bengals lose to Tampa Bay 14-13 thanks to the worst roughing-the-passer call in NFL history.

2007: A listless Bengals squad falls 27-20 to an eventually 4-12 Chiefs team. OK, we were flat there, I grant.

2008: The infamous Philly tie. One of our better games last year, actually.

[volcom69]

For my part, volcom, this thread isn't about what I am worried about, but reporting on what the ravens fans are saying.

And they are saying the Bengals are but a speed bump.

Ok sorry about that Mem, and i understand i do not think the Bengals are a speed bump in any game this year, and i beilive this team will give its all in every game, and anyone who cant see that is blind.

Hoosier i agree, i shouldnt have said flat i guess i should have just said that they lost alot coming off of the bye, but im hoping for things to change this year. If they played like they did in the Bears game, then im not sure the game would be even close lol, i havnt see a Bengals team play that in so long. However i think its hard to play like that every week, but i hope they come out prepared after the bye. All i was saying is that the bye week scares me alittle this week, but lets hope Marvin & CO prepares this team for the this game. I feel the ravens right now are in desprete mode and will do anything for a win!

[cincyhokie]

For my part, volcom, this thread isn't about what I am worried about, but reporting on what the ravens fans are saying.

And they are saying the Bengals are but a speed bump.

The 6-3 Ravens, according to their fans, are already looking to their week 11 game against the Colts.

This should be a tough game. I'm not sure how I feel about the Bengals coming off a bye to play a still-desperate Ravens team. If anything, though, the Bengals have played every different type of game this year and should have every type of opportunity to prepare. 2 weeks to prepare mentally, physically, and game planning wise against one of their division rivals. If they play flat, they have no business winning the AFCN. This is a different team this year and hopefully the fans that come to PBS are fired up and confident as to help the Bengals win this important division game.

I can see the Bengals getting down early in this game and then finding their momentum later in the game. 21-20 Bengals.

[kingwilly]

If the bengals run these unusual line formations and get Benson going, the Ravens will have to stack the box, thus the pass game is easy pickings. The Bengals O-line obliterated Ngata.

For the Bengals to win, they simply must not give up the ball, like that Chad fumble in the NFL.com playbook video. The Ravens secondary is weak, except for Reed who only plays for the ball. Stay away from him and make it easy on the WR's.

The Ravens are deluded by their win over Denver. Denver peaked against NE. They'll be luck to finish 10-6. The Ravens got ahead and forced orton to pass to beat them. Orton is not good enough to pull that off. Thus, deluded in thinking it will be the same against the Bengals.

Benson will get rolling and it could get ugly. Benson behind this line could be in the MVP running, seriously, I think he is that good, and he gets better the more touches he gets. Palmer throwing off play-action, with a lead, it really could get ugly. The Ravens are not effective playing from behind, as they do not have much at WR. Heap and Rice are the only reliable weapons.

I think it could be 30-27 type game, but then again, if Flacco makes a couple of mistakes, it could bloat to 45-10 type situation.

[ArmyBengal]

It's not the most important game of the season by any stretch, it's just another game. Albeit, a division game that would be really nice to win, but we both have other games that need to won equally and I think Baltimore still has a pretty hard road to travel. Win or lose, the Bengals just need to keep their focus and fire they have had to this point and realize even if they do win this weekend, they have to keep it up.

What good does a win against the Ravens do us if we drop 2 of 3 between the Raiders, Lions, and Browns ?? The teams are to good in our division to not win the games we are suppose to win. Honestly, the Ravens should feel the same way and I don't think they are desparate. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping they ARE looking to their next game or some other in their future that should "present" a "tougher" opponent and once again have the Bengals walk away with the win.

Maybe we even get to see some video clip of some Ravens fan losing his mind again like some little boy that just got slapped around by a girl...

[bwillycuse]

It's not the most important game of the season by any stretch, it's just another game. Albeit, a division game that would be really nice to win, but we both have other games that need to won equally and I think Baltimore still has a pretty hard road to travel. Win or lose, the Bengals just need to keep their focus and fire they have had to this point and realize even if they do win this weekend, they have to keep it up.

What good does a win against the Ravens do us if we drop 2 of 3 between the Raiders, Lions, and Browns ?? The teams are to good in our division to not win the games we are suppose to win. Honestly, the Ravens should feel the same way and I don't think they are desparate. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping they ARE looking to their next game or some other in their future that should "present" a "tougher" opponent and once again have the Bengals walk away with the win.

Maybe we even get to see some video clip of some Ravens fan losing his mind again like some little boy that just got slapped around by a girl...

I think that the next two games are the most important games of the year. We lose both and we are 5-4 with 4 afc losses in a year where I think tie-breakers will be important. And 10-6 I think may need those tie breakers.

We have to win one of the next two. Doesnt matter which. I think the Ravens game should be easier since its at home and dont think the Ravens are as good as the Steelers.

Ill be nervous on Sunday - just like every Sunday.

[COB]

We have to win one of the next two. Doesnt matter which.

My feelings exactly. Before the Bears game I felt that if we could win 2 out of the next 3, we would likely end up in the playoffs. We won the first of the 3, now to get 1 or both of the next two would be sweet. Not to jinx it, but can you imagine if we beat both Balt and Pitt? Not saying anything else.

[bucksfan2]

Now, on the way home, I caught Hobson on 1570, and Hobson was asked if this was the most important home game in Cincy since the playoff game in 2005. I was thinking, "f**k no" would be the correct answer, but Hobson bent over and said, "gosh yes, it sure is", or something to that effect.

I think this is the biggest, most important, game since the 05 home playoff game. Look at what it entails if the Bengals win this game. They go to 6-2 and 4-0 in the division, not only that it likely means the Bengals finish no worse than 5-1 in the division and all but knock the Ravens out of the wild card picture. If the Bengals lose, fall to 5-3 and 3-1 in division with a tough road game against the Steelers next.

Carson and the Bengals usually play well against the Ravens, I don't see that changing. I like the match up against the Ravens, but this is a very important game.

[HairOnFire]

For my part, volcom, this thread isn't about what I am worried about, but reporting on what the ravens fans are saying.

And they are saying the Bengals are but a speed bump.

But Raven fans, like everyone else associated with that franchise....including players, take their cue from which star player?

Ray Lewis, right?

And what did we hear a mic'd up Ray Lewis say just prior to the last meeting between the Bengals and the Ravens?

"Ask me....same old Bengals."

Granted, the Bengals promptly showed they weren't the same old Bengals by shattering Baltimore's streak of not allowing a 100-yard game to an opposing RB. So take that, Reverend Ray.

But here's the rub.

You don't prove much of anything by doing something once.

[ArmyBengal]

I'll simply agree to disagree that THIS game is somehow more important. Would it be nice to win this game as well as the next ?? Sure it would and it would be nice to know you are holding the tie breaker if things are close. That being said, there is no way to determine how things are going to play out for the second half of the season. Teams wins some games they are suppose to lose and vice versa. What happens if the injury bug bites hard and some key players take a hit on us, the Ravens, or Steelers ?? The Steelers have already shown they aren't the same team without Polumalu.

It's not to say any of that is going to happen, but Odom is on IR now and it's just to much of an uncertainty. Like I mentioned before, there are many games to be played after this one and even if they do lose, it's not the end of the season. Somehow though, if they do drop this game, there will be many people with the Chicken Little complex rushing to this board. Remaining focused regardless of the outcome will be the priority.

All of that being said, I think we win this weekend...

[cincyhokie]

The feeling I am getting from the media this week is that the Bengals are "bound to run out of steam" while the Ravens are just gearing up. Ravens are playing AWAY as 2.5 to 3 point favorites. I like the fact the Bengals are being looked at again as underdogs...alot.

[cincyhokie]

Dave Lapham coming on to talk to WNST Balitmore sports radio (435pm)...should be interesting.

[membengal]

Hope he isn't as big a puss as he was the last time I caught him over this way, on 1370 before the first Ravens game.

Work has been slaugherting me this week, but I hope to catch some more local chatter than I have the last 48 hours as the week closes.

[cincyhokie]

I tuned into 2 of the local Baltimore stations today. I get the feeling that not only does Baltimore think they will certainly win this game, but so does the majority of the media. The last win was a lucky fluke and the Ravens defense is back with their beatdown of Denver. No mention or consideration to the fact that it may be possible that the Bengals offense is improved or that Palmer knows the Ravens defense better than Orton or that the Bengals are playing at home, etc.

The more I hear about the Ravens surely taking this game, the more I feel confident that the Bengals will win it. The Bengals play much better when they are underdogs and that's exactly what they are right now. Underdogs against a team that they were "lucky" to beat just 4 weeks ago.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Wow so nobody is worried about the Bengals coming out Flat off the bye week, like they have every year since Marvin has been here.

Well, maybe that's because they haven't come out flat after the bye, with the possible exception of 2007. Lets review:

2003: Bengals beat Baltimore 34-26. No flatness there.

2004: Bengals lose to Cleveland 34-17. Hard to call that flat as, in their previous four games, the O had scored 17, 9, 16 and 24; while the D had allowed 28, 23, 13 and 31. In other words, it was pretty much par for the course at that point.

2005: Bengals lose to Colts 45-37. Anything but flat there, we just got beat in a shootout.

2006: Bengals lose to Tampa Bay 14-13 thanks to the worst roughing-the-passer call in NFL history.

2007: A listless Bengals squad falls 27-20 to an eventually 4-12 Chiefs team. OK, we were flat there, I grant.

2008: The infamous Philly tie. One of our better games last year, actually.

Eh, I don't know, 1-5-1 after the bye since 2003 isn't exactly a good thing, losing is losing no matter how you spin it.

They may not come out "flat" but they sure don't win after the bye under Marvin.

It's a concern and we just have to hope this team is different, and it seems they are indeed more talented than any team since 2003, so there's hope.

[kingwilly]

I tuned into 2 of the local Baltimore stations today. I get the feeling that not only does Baltimore think they will certainly win this game, but so does the majority of the media. The last win was a lucky fluke and the Ravens defense is back with their beatdown of Denver. No mention or consideration to the fact that it may be possible that the Bengals offense is improved or that Palmer knows the Ravens defense better than Orton or that the Bengals are playing at home, etc.

The more I hear about the Ravens surely taking this game, the more I feel confident that the Bengals will win it. The Bengals play much better when they are underdogs and that's exactly what they are right now. Underdogs against a team that they were "lucky" to beat just 4 weeks ago.

I've been dumping on them over at the Ravens board, getting them all riled up. Had a guy actually say that Chad was "just" a playmaker and he'd rather have Mason....

Guys crying about how the Bengals barely won. How they have their O-line at full strngth... look at what they did to the Broncos...

it is hilarious stuff alright. man, this is a big game. it is the biggest game the bengals have this week.

[cincyhokie]

I tuned into 2 of the local Baltimore stations today. I get the feeling that not only does Baltimore think they will certainly win this game, but so does the majority of the media. The last win was a lucky fluke and the Ravens defense is back with their beatdown of Denver. No mention or consideration to the fact that it may be possible that the Bengals offense is improved or that Palmer knows the Ravens defense better than Orton or that the Bengals are playing at home, etc.

The more I hear about the Ravens surely taking this game, the more I feel confident that the Bengals will win it. The Bengals play much better when they are underdogs and that's exactly what they are right now. Underdogs against a team that they were "lucky" to beat just 4 weeks ago.

I've been dumping on them over at the Ravens board, getting them all riled up. Had a guy actually say that Chad was "just" a playmaker and he'd rather have Mason....

Guys crying about how the Bengals barely won. How they have their O-line at full strngth... look at what they did to the Broncos...

it is hilarious stuff alright. man, this is a big game. it is the biggest game the bengals have this week.

Of course they beat the crap out of the Broncos. I figured they would, the Ravens are a good team, better than 3-3. Playing at home, backs against the wall, going against a team that is not as familiar with them as the AFCN teams. And that is where the difference is. These teams know each other and every year that they have both been competitive, the games have come down to the wire. It's going to be another painful dose of reality this week when these fans realize the Bengals are for real and their defense is slipping. I'm picking the Bengals but whoever wins will win by 3 or less.

[TJJackson]

It's a big game for both teams

Fans of either team can talk like it isn't, but it most certainly is

[kevnz]

What I don't get is how Baltimore fans consider the Bengals a gimme. I mean since Marvin has been the coach we've owned them.

[Stripes]

I don't buy the concerns of the Bengals coming out flat. Those guys love kicking the Ravens' asses as much as we love to watch them do it. The only other BIG game the Bengals have played after a bye under Marvin (excluding the Kitna 2003 game) was the 2005 game against the 9-0 Colts. As Hoosier said, they might have lost the game, but they were very competitive.

They may have been flat in years past, but was it really because of the week layoff? I think it was because they were playing s**tty teams like the '04 Browns, '06 Bucs, and '07 Chiefs.

[HairOnFire]

Just a little programming alert that works as well in this what-are-the-talking-heads-saying thread as any other.

According to the promo, tonights Playbook on the NFL Network will feature Brian Billick breaking down the Bengals power running game, and what Baltimore will attempt to do to stop it.

That is all....

[COB]

Damn, that makes me want to get the NFL Network really badly. I like watching those breakdowns on that show, and Billick is pretty good at it. The Hamburger Helper slinging ball and chain better start giving in on this one.

What will the Ravens do? "Hey depth D-lineman, you see Dennis Roland and Andre Smith over there? You do? Go over there and stop them." Scheme all you want, we're bigger and stronger. I really see this as a turning point game for the Ravens defense. There's a chance they'll just get plain bullied.

[cincyhokie]

Damn, that makes me want to get the NFL Network really badly. I like watching those breakdowns on that show, and Billick is pretty good at it. The Hamburger Helper slinging ball and chain better start giving in on this one.

What will the Ravens do? "Hey depth D-lineman, you see Dennis Roland and Andre Smith over there? You do? Go over there and stop them." Scheme all you want, we're bigger and stronger. I really see this as a turning point game for the Ravens defense. There's a chance they'll just get plain bullied.

The picks from the show are already on NFL.com. 2 of the 3 picked the Ravens. Why? Probably because they destroyed the Broncos. Throw all the other important facts out.

[HairOnFire]

Scheme all you want, we're bigger and stronger. I really see this as a turning point game for the Ravens defense. There's a chance they'll just get plain bullied.

Well, that the big test, isn't it? To be able to run consistently on teams like the Ravens and the Steelers when they know what's coming and who's bringing it.

I have to admit having mixed feelings about this one. On one hand I realize how important winning the game would be under any circumstances, including throwing the ball all game long, winning on a kick return, or even a fluke play. On the other hand, I'm almost fixated on beating teams like the Ravens and Steelers in exactly the same ways that have made them winners.