This game bigger than it looks.

[walzav29]

I think this will be the most pivotal game of the season. If they lose this one, they could very well lose to the Colts at home. 6-4 will put them back with the rest of the pack. 7-2 or 7-3 will be the cushion needed. I'm not saying that they can't beat the Colt's, but we all know how tough that will be. Sunday's game is bigger than the Steeler game.

[BengalszoneBilly]

They could win this one against the Ravens and lose to the Colts. It depends how we match up. We usually match up better versus the Colts I think.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Maybe I'm getting homerish, but I think they will win both. The Ravens are banged up and the Colts are not the same outside in the cold

[MARVIN=W'S]

Great point. I agree, this game is bigger than the Steelers game. They SHOULD win this game.

[w8th]

10-6 should make the playoffs as a wildcard so that means they need to go at least 4-4 the rest of the way.

If they beat Detroit, Browns, split with Baltimore and beat either Buffalo or KC they should be in.

Anything above and beyond that is great but I think that is the minimum to ensure them a playoff spot.

[walzav29]

I think we'll need 11-5. They already lost to Jax, so there goes that tiebreaker. Then a team like the Chiefs could gain the advantage by beating the Bengals at home. I am just curious if the Bengals are mentally over the beating that the Ravens usually perform on them. Although they have split the last 2 years. I would like to see Jamal under a 100, and Rudi get 120+.

[AMC]

I think this will be the most pivotal game of the season. If they lose this one, they could very well lose to the Colts at home. 6-4 will put them back with the rest of the pack. 7-2 or 7-3 will be the cushion needed. I'm not saying that they can't beat the Colt's, but we all know how tough that will be. Sunday's game is bigger than the Steeler game.

It's like you are reading my mind!

This game is very pivotal...we need a win heading into the bye and Colts game....

[CincinnatiKid]

My gut tells me that if we beat the Ravens we beat Indy. However, if we lose to Baltimore anything is possible. To be honest Baltimore scares the heck out of me. They are a carbon copy of the steelers. Agressive all out knock your block off defense and a smash mouth running game. Everything the Bengals are not.

[AMC]

When it comes down to it there isn't much difference between a 5-2 (or 6-2 in our case) and a 2-5 team in the NFL, personnel and coaching wise.

We could easily be 4-4 and so could they....

That said, BALT at BALT is a tough task for ANY team....it will be a well deserved win, if we happen to win...but we will have to play a very good, mistake-free game....

[HoosierCat]

On another thread, I think it was Shula who advised they go max protect and throw the ball like mad. I tend to agree. Ravens have not scored more than 19 points all season; if we can get into the 20s we win.

[NYBengalfan]

Maybe I'm getting homerish, but I think they will win both. The Ravens are banged up and the Colts are not the same outside in the cold

That what I think, but I am not worried about Jamal " I snort Coke" Lewis, Im worried about Chester Taylor, he's averaging 7 yards per carry. I think we'll win but they're gonna run though.

[Jet23]

On another thread, I think it was Shula who advised they go max protect and throw the ball like mad. I tend to agree. Ravens have not scored more than 19 points all season; if we can get into the 20s we win.

You would think, but the Ravens have been using Chester Taylor more, which seems to have lit a fire under J. Lewis. The Bengals have yet to stop a running attack, which could make things a lot easier for Wright. Remember, Wright has had some big offensive games with the Ravens (obviously not this year).

This is not 'do or die' but it is huge. If they don't get this one, then I believe they have to beat the Steelers in Pitt. or the Colts at home to stay on a playoff pace. That is a tall order. Has anyone heard an update on Lewis and Reed?

[BengalszoneBilly]

I think we'll need 11-5. They already lost to Jax, so there goes that tiebreaker. Then a team like the Chiefs could gain the advantage by beating the Bengals at home. I am just curious if the Bengals are mentally over the beating that the Ravens usually perform on them. Although they have split the last 2 years. I would like to see Jamal under a 100, and Rudi get 120+.

I'm with walzav here. I think 11-5 will be the minimum to get into the playoffs. If the Bengals usually improve thier play midway through the season, then now's the time to kick it up a notch, because we sure may need it!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

My gut tells me that if we beat the Ravens we beat Indy.

I think you've got heartburn. Peyton vs Anthony Wright, Edge vs. J Lewis (2005 version, averaging under 3 YPC), and Indy actually has a better defense. Oh, and one is 2-5 and the other 7-0.

[bengalboomer7]

You know, DC. This Baltimore game worries me more than that Indy game. I REALLY don't want Jamal's breakout game of the year to be this week. It's a division game we HAVE to win to keep our current pace with Pitt.

[BengalByTheBay]

While I appreciate the "don't underestimate your opponent" theme of this thread I pretty much don't agree that the Baltimore game is any bigger than Indy or either Pitt game. The rats are not as good as the squeelers because they cannot throw the ball effectively when they need to and their running game is highly inconsistent. They should, and will, try to run on us and will have some success. Even with Ray Ray and Reed in the lineup, however, this defense is not the same one that used to dominate us. They are good, but they are not better than the steelers even on d. We absolutely could lose this game on the road in Balt, but I have no reason to think we should be any more scared or whatever about this game versus any of a handful of games coming up. To get the w in Balt is nothing more or less than beating a division rival and getting a road victory. I think every division game is a big game I just don't think this one is any bigger than either game vs. pitt.

[schweinhart]

The Ratbirds got the TEs too and the Bengals have been burned on D this year by TEs. They made George Wrighster look like a HOFer, had no answer for Heath Miller, and were lucky David Martin was out last week or the Pack TEs would've made an even bigger difference.

The Rats run a lot of options off Heap, both w/ and w/o there other TE Dinkins in. Heap lines up in the slot, wide, tight at the line, and goes into motion like every other play. The worst part of it is that it could make Jamal and Taylor even more effective running because the Bengals would be most likely to counter w/ a LB on Heap.

I'd guess we'll see less Ohalate w/ more extra LB in a 4-4-3, maybe Miller now that Vieria was waived.

Either way, I'd be surprised if Baltimore doesn't move the ball well vs. Bengals.

[turningpoint]

i was thining about this.

We could possibly be 6-6 and i don't even want to think about that.

the ravens games IMO are both must wins.

[walzav29]

A Ravens sweep? That would be worst case scenario. By that logic the Bengals should be able to win at Pitt. 6-6 would be the ultimate downer. I'm getting dizzy with these new heights!

[HoosierCat]

Either way, I'd be surprised if Baltimore doesn't move the ball well vs. Bengals.

Depends. If the Bengals play like they did in he first half against Pitt --- move the ball well but fail to put many points on the board -- the Ravens will be able to stick with their run game, and given the opportunity I'm sure Jamal will be able to pile up 100+ yards. Bottom line, we need points.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

On another thread, I think it was Shula who advised they go max protect and throw the ball like mad. I tend to agree. Ravens have not scored more than 19 points all season; if we can get into the 20s we win.

You would think, but the Ravens have been using Chester Taylor more, which seems to have lit a fire under J. Lewis. The Bengals have yet to stop a running attack, which could make things a lot easier for Wright. Remember, Wright has had some big offensive games with the Ravens (obviously not this year).

This is not 'do or die' but it is huge. If they don't get this one, then I believe they have to beat the Steelers in Pitt. or the Colts at home to stay on a playoff pace. That is a tall order. Has anyone heard an update on Lewis and Reed?

I think my/Joisey's point is though, that, if it's a close game where they can run the ball the entire time, it favors Baltimore, considering the Bengals' run DEF ecspecially.

If the Bengals can get a 2 score lead early enough, the Ravens are out of their element. They are 2-5 for a reason.

Who would you rather have beat you? Anthony Wright, or Lewis/Taylor? I am going for the former.

Don't be fooled by Wright's passing Monday night - he just throws it up for grabs and has a good presence in the pocket due to experience. The Bengals' CB ballhawks can make Wright pay if he has to throw too often.

[Columbusbengal]

The Ravens are banged up and the Colts are not the same outside in the cold

What cold???

[Jet23]

On another thread, I think it was Shula who advised they go max protect and throw the ball like mad. I tend to agree. Ravens have not scored more than 19 points all season; if we can get into the 20s we win.

You would think, but the Ravens have been using Chester Taylor more, which seems to have lit a fire under J. Lewis. The Bengals have yet to stop a running attack, which could make things a lot easier for Wright. Remember, Wright has had some big offensive games with the Ravens (obviously not this year).

This is not 'do or die' but it is huge. If they don't get this one, then I believe they have to beat the Steelers in Pitt. or the Colts at home to stay on a playoff pace. That is a tall order. Has anyone heard an update on Lewis and Reed?

I think my/Joisey's point is though, that, if it's a close game where they can run the ball the entire time, it favors Baltimore, considering the Bengals' run DEF ecspecially.

If the Bengals can get a 2 score lead early enough, the Ravens are out of their element. They are 2-5 for a reason.

Who would you rather have beat you? Anthony Wright, or Lewis/Taylor? I am going for the former.

Don't be fooled by Wright's passing Monday night - he just throws it up for grabs and has a good presence in the pocket due to experience. The Bengals' CB ballhawks can make Wright pay if he has to throw too often.

I agree 100%. I thought they should have taken the same approach against Pittsburgh, but they came out running and were successful. I think they were successful, because Pittsburgh expected them to pass, which is what they should have done given the Steeler injuries. Just like against Pitt., I think they should start the game in the no-huddle. They can use this week to plan the entire first drive. I think it will catch Baltimore off guard. Unless of course Billick is reading this, in which case NEVER MIND...

[derekshank]

I think it is difficult to assign value of one game over another... especially games inside the division.

It is important to beat the teams competing for 1st place (Pit) because it's hard to win the division when you get swept by a team in your division.

It is just as important to beat the "bad" teams in your division (Balt, Cle) because the other good team (Pit) will also most likely beat them... so losing to them is just like losing to Pit, since the tie breaker is the record inside the division.

With that being the case... I think the most important string of games are week 11-13. In that span we play Indy, Balt, @Pit... and Pit plays @Balt, @Indy, Cin.

We have common opponents, leading up to our rematch. We have the games at home, Pit has them on the road... so I would say it is a must to come out of these 3 games either 2-1, or 3-0, and having Pit finish no better than 2-1 for us to win the division.

This game is big, but I think our three biggest games of the season are coming right after the bye, given who we play, and who Pit plays.

[walshfan]

Division game in their stadium.. nuff said...