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3 Keys to the Game: Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens

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Here we are, Cincinnati Bengals fans – Christmas Eve!

Our old friends the Baltimore Ravens come to town for a high-noon kickoff tomorrow. We must say, it looks like a match-up that’s in Cincinnati’s favor. A win would be big because it gives us huge momentum, as well as the upper hand over a division rival right off the bat. Also, we don’t necessarily love the fact that Baltimore isn’t at full strength, but ……. well, actually, yes we do.

Let’s break down what we believe are the three keys to a Bengals’ win.

3 Keys to a Cincinnati Bengals Win

  1. Go after Joe. Joe Flacco will start, but he has been hurt and missed all of training camp and the preseason. Add to that the fact that he’s about as successful in Paul Brown Stadium (2-6 in the last 8 games, 5 TDs, 12 picks) as Dr. Evil is in taking over the world. It’s a situation that should make the Cincinnati pass rushers (remember, we’ve got Chris Smith and Jordan Willis now) giddy. Put some pressure on him, maybe a hit or two or 15, and their passing attack will crumble.
  2. Get our downfield passing game going. This one is almost a given when you have someone named AJ Green on your team. But we also drafted someone named John Ross. And there’s this guy we’ve been seeing named Tyler Eifert, who can go over the middle. And the Ravens D ranked 28th in the NFL last year in passing TDs. Score a few touchdowns and John Harbaugh’s squad will be forced to play catch-up with a rusty and gimpy quarterback. Getting to that point depends on how much time QB Andy Dalton gets from the offensive line. Speaking of which …
  3. Solid line play. Anyone who has read our blog more than once knows the O-line has been the team’s most concerning area. Baltimore is a good opponent to start with for us, since they only tallied 31 sacks last season. It’ll be a great confidence boost to our big uglies if they can keep Dalton upright. Plus, if we can establish a big-enough lead, they can practice some run blocking to use up clock late in the game.

So get ready, Cincinnati Bengals fans. We’ve waited a long time. And it’s about time we get back to the postseason. The first step is tomorrow.

Cincinnati Bengals Early Game-by-Game Win Loss Predictions: 2017

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The Cincinnati Bengals are primed for a big 2017 season. Between their talented starters, rookies who will be exciting to watch, and wanting to make amends for last year, there are lots of reasons for every Bengals fan to get excited. Especially us.

This week, Bengal boys Nate and Chris give you a game-by game prediction for Cincy in 2017.

 

Cincinnati Bengals Predictions Game by Game

Week 1 – vs Baltimore Ravens (September 10)
Chris: WIN – Joe Flacco only threw for 20 TDs last year, and 15 picks. Leading TE Dennis Pitta dislocated his hip last week and has since been released. Suspect passing game leads to Bengals’ win.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals should start Week 1 healthy, with several more weapons than they had in 2016 and I think they will be revved up in their first home game to open a regular season since 2009. The Bengals win this game based on health, better weapons, emotional energy and home field advantage.

 

Week 2 – vs Houston Texans (September 14)
Chris: LOSS – I’m not sure who did the schedule, but someone should make them run gassers. Two games in four days – this one against the reigning AFC South champions – means Cincinnati’s first loss of the season.

Nate: WIN – I think Houston will have one of the top defenses in the NFL this season after getting a healthy J.J. Watt back to help an already dominate D. The problem is they do not have a proven quarterback, Cincy have loaded up Dalton with more weapons and a team that want to show they are capable in the national spotlight. Since the Bengals have a new kicker in place I like Cincy by a field goal at home.

 

Week 3 – at Green Bay Packers (September 24)
Chris: LOSS – The Bengals have a week and a half to rest for this game, but it’s against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack, who were 7th in the NFL last year in passing yards and 4th in points.

Nate: LOSS – Although Aaron Rodgers is 0-2 in his career against the Bengals I think this is the year he is able to come out with a victory. I predict a close game but the Packers win a shootout in front of the home crowd at Lambeau Field.

 

Week 4 – at Cleveland Browns (October 1)
Chris: WIN – Just what we need to get back to .500. Top draft pick Myles Garrett will still be adjusting to the pro game, so he won’t quite be a difference maker … yet.

Nate: WIN – The Browns will show glimmers of hope and improve from their 1-15 record from last year but Cincy will have the firepower and experience to win this contest early in the season still.

 

Week 5 – vs Buffalo Bills (October 8)
Chris: WIN – The Bills led the NFL in rushing, but were almost dead last in passing. If the Cincinnati Bengals can contain the run, they’ll win. It’ll be close, but I say they get it done.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals lost a close one at home against the Bills last year 16-12 but it was also a game in which kicker Mike Nugent missed 2 extra points and the Bengals were not afforded the opportunity to kick a game winning field goal. I think the Bengals have improved more than the Bills in the offseason and they will not have the kicking issues to the same degree in this contest. The Bengals win by 10 at home.

 

Week 6 – BYE WEEK

 

Week 7 – at Pittsburgh Steelers (October 22)
Chris: LOSS – Grudge match, grudge match, grudge match – especially after Referee-gate last year. This will be a close contest that, unfortunately, won’t go the Bengals’ way because of Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage.

Nate: LOSS – Sparks will fly, emotions will run high, and there will be felt hatred and controversy as usual. Pittsburgh takes the first of two in their house as the Bengals usually don’t play as well coming off their bye week.

 

Week 8 – vs Indianapolis Colts (October 29)
Chris: WIN – Between Andrew Luck’s shoulder surgery at the end of 2016 and a dicey O-line, I feel comfy saying Cincinnati takes this one.

Nate: WIN – I predict a close high scoring affair but the Bengals edge the Colts by a field goal at home to get back on track.

 

Week 9 – at Jacksonville Jaguars (November 5)
Chris: WIN – The addition of LSU running back Leonard Fournette takes pressure off QB Blake Bortles, who struggled with consistency at the end of last year. But Jacksonville will still be questionable in too many other areas to mount a serious threat to Cincinnati, who will have back-to-back wins when this one is over.

Nate: LOSS – I think the Bengals will fall in an upset here, Fournette has a break out game and Bortles doesn’t make too many mistakes in this one. The Bengals let one get away that they are expected to win.

 

Week 10 – at Tennessee Titans (November 12)
Chris: LOSS – Tennessee has been steadily improving under coach Mike Mularkey, and quarterback Marcus Mariota has a top-down convertible for a ceiling. The Titans will be in the thick of their own playoff chase by this point of the season. Home team in a close one.

Nate: LOSS – The Titans have the potential to be a dangerous team in 2017 with a solid ground game already in place and the team adding more weapons in the draft this year for Mariota. This should be a fun contest but I think the Titans win a close one in Music City.

 

Week 11 – at Denver Broncos (November 19)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati and Denver were very close statistically last year. This might as well come down to a coin flip. Hang on (flip) ………..W

Nate: LOSS – Denver’s D overwhelms Cincy’s O-line in Mile High.

 

Week 12 – vs Cleveland Browns (November 26)
Chris: WIN – Cleveland could very well be improved this late in the season. But so will Cincinnati, and they’ll make it seven in a row over their in-state rival.

Nate: WIN – If Cleveland finds some consistency at QB this season this could be a close one. I’m not putting my money on that happening just yet. Cincy gets back on track again here by a touchdown.

 

Week 13 – vs Pittsburgh Steelers (December 4)
Chris: WIN – Cincinnati gets their long-awaited revenge, and they get it in front of the home crowd. A victory will also prevent Pittsburgh from owning the tiebreaker – extra motivation if you ask us.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals are focused and realize the implications of this game. The offense brings The Jungle to life and the Bengals split the season with the Steelers.

 

Week 14 – vs Chicago Bears (December 10)
Chris: WIN – The Bears shocked everyone when they drafted QB Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick. We’ll see if he’s come into his own by now. Until then, we’ll go based on Chicago’s 3-13 record last year.

Nate: WIN – Trubisky struggles if he is playing at this point. The Bears struggle in 2017 regardless. I think the Bengals win in a blow out at home against the Bears.

 

Week 15 – vs Minnesota Vikings (December 17)
Chris: WIN – Running back Dalvin Cook will be roughed up this late in the season. The Vikings will be mounting a rushing attack that is similar to their last-in-the-league 75.3 yards per game from 2016.

Nate: LOSS – HC Mike Zimmer is motivated to beat his former team and brings out all the stops to expose the weakness of Cincy’s offense line with all the exotic looks in his repertoire. The Vikings snap the Bengals 3 game winning streak in a close one.

 

Week 16 – vs Detroit Lions (December 24)
Chris: LOSS – This one is similar to the matchup with Denver from the previous month. Even without Megatron, the Lions were still 11th in the league in passing yards last season. Starting LT Taylor Decker should be back from labrum surgery. This coin flip might go against the Bengals.

Nate: WIN – I think the Lions have regressed in ways this offseason but Matthew Stafford keeps them in contests in 2017 still. The Bengals are too much at home though as some of the rookies (Ross & Mixon) bring too much sizzle for the Lions to stop.

 

Week 17 – at Baltimore Ravens (December 31)
Chris: LOSS – If I’m 15-for-15, then the Cincinnati Bengals will be 10-5 and smelling the playoffs. I hate to say it, but I think that means a loss to end the regular season. They will have played 11 games since the bye week and counting on those 10 wins to get them into the playoffs. Let’s hope it does.

Nate: WIN – The Bengals clinch at least a Wild Card playoff spot with a win in this game while the Ravens are already out of the hunt. Cincy gets it done on the road.

 

Final record: Chris (10-6)   Nate (10-6)

Cincinnati Bengals/Baltimore Ravens – Week 12 Recap

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You may not be in the mood to read very much about the Cincinnati Bengals’ 19-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Good. Because we’re not in the mood to write very much about it. Here’s the short and sweet about a game that was long and sour.

What Happened During the Cincinnati Bengals/Baltimore Ravens Game

For the 6th time in the last 8 games, the Cincinnati Bengals gave up points on the opening drive. This time it was a 14-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Breshad Perriman less than 5 minutes into the game. That set the tone and, for the rest of the day, Cincy was forced to play catch-up. They didn’t.

There was good and bad to quarterback Andy Dalton’s game. He threw for 283 yards but lost 2 fumbles in the red zone. Now that AJ Green is injured, it seems the only target Dalton has faith in is tight end Tyler Eifert. The Cincinnati Bengals’ TE led all receivers with 68 yards and a touchdown. The problem is, with no credible threat to take Green’s place, opposing defenses can key in on Eifert and neutralize the strength of the Bengals’ offense. You can guess how well Cincinnati moves the ball from there.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ O-line went up against a solid Ravens defense and performed like … well, a mediocre offensive line playing going against a solid defense. They mustered 64 rushing yards and gave up 3 sacks. Rex Burkhead provided the Bengal’s longest run of the day (17 yards with less than 5 minutes to go).

Kicker Mike Nugent missed his 3rd straight extra point. That’s bad enough for the difference it makes on the scoreboard. But it also gets into the kicker’s head. You gotta wonder about the mental state of a guy who can’t make an XP but must kick a 45-yard field goal late in the game. If we were Nugent, we’d get nervous if the Bengals’ front office pops up on the caller ID tomorrow.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens – Week 12 Preview

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To play the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals will travel about 430 miles. That’s almost as far away as the playoffs look at this point. But we digress.

The first step toward a 2016 turnaround will be against a division rival that Cincinnati has beaten 5 straight times. Baltimore is a brick wall on defense (2nd in the NFL) but struggles on offense (24th in the league). The Cincinnati Bengals will probably do likewise on O after losing wide receiver AJ Green and running back Giovani Bernard to injuries last week.

So what are the 3 things to keep an eye on in this AFC North matchup?

3 Things to Watch in the Cincinnati Bengals-Baltimore Ravens Game

1. Who steps in for AJ Green and Giovani Bernard? Green’s hamstring injury means Brandon LaFell will be the leading receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals (419 yards, 4 touchdowns) at kickoff. Hopefully, WRs Tyler Boyd and Cody Core can be productive against a Ravens’ defense that’s yielded 219 passing yards per game. The outlook doesn’t look much better behind QB Andy Dalton. Running back Cedric Peerman was just activated from IR after a preseason arm injury and Rex Burkhead has only gained 39 yards this year.


2. Will Steve Smith move past Harrison? Ravens’ receiver Steve Smith is only 133 yards away from passing the great Marvin Harrison for 7th on the all-time career yardage list. If he makes it, that probably means Baltimore QB Joe Flacco is having a great day all around. After all, it’s not like Smith will get 150 and Mike Wallace will get 15.

3. Can we keep the mental advantage? The Ravens haven’t beaten the Cincinnati Bengals since a 20-17 overtime win on November 10, 2013. Even with Cincy’s recent struggles, you gotta think they’re in the heads of the guys wearing purple. Like Cincinnati, Baltimore has only beaten one team with a winning record this year (Pittsburgh) and they’re averaging less than 20 points a game. That puts a lot of pressure on the Ravens’ defense. They don’t want that. We do.