Ravens Report-Week 13 2008

Ravens Report
Last week, the Ravens defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 36-7, to improve their record to 7-4. After a scoreless first quarter, Ravens K Matt Stover hit a 44-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 3-0 lead. Then, Ravens QB Joe Flacco found backup TE Daniel Wilcox in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. On the Ravens kickoff, Eagles FS Quentin Demps returned the kick 100 yards for a touchdown to make the score 10-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, Ravens LB Jameel McClain blocked an Eagles punt that went into the back end zone for a safety to make the score 12-7. In the fourth quarter, Matt Stover hit a 42-yard field goal to make the score 15-7. Next, Joe Flacco threw a 59-yard touchdown strike to WR Mark Clayton to make the score 22-7. On the Eagles next drive, QB Kevin Kolb was intercepted by S Ed Reed, who returned it for a 108-yard touchdown. Then, Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard touchdown.
Other Game Notes: Ed Reed’s interception for a touchdown was an NFL record. The Eagles turned the ball over 5 times, that lead to 17 Ravens points. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was benched at halftime due to his performance. McNabb had turned the ball over 3 times (2 interceptions, 1 fumble).
Player of the Game: Ravens S Ed Reed- 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
Next Sunday, the Ravens face off against the 1-9-1 Cincinnati Bengals. These two teams met back in Week 1, the Ravens won that game, 17-10. The Bengals have defeated the Ravens in three consecutive games when playing in Cincinnati. The Bengals offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL, so expect the Ravens to blitz a lot and force Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to make stupid throws. For the Ravens, rookie QB Joe Flacco has thrown 7 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions in his last four starts. I have the Ravens winning, 34-13.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Bengals
Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Bengals LB Dhani Jones Edge: McGahee
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Bengals CB Leon Hall Edge: Mason
Ravens C Jason Brown vs. Bengals DT John Thornton Edge: Thornton
Ravens DT Justin Bannan vs. Bengals LT Levi Jones Edge: Jones
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Bengals RB Cedric Benson Edge: Lewis
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh Edge: Houshmandzadeh


Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
WR Mark Clayton Back QST
WR Terrance Copper Neck QST
G David Hale Ankle QST
CB Samari Rolle Thigh QST
T Adam Terry Head QST
DT Lamar Divens Shoulder PRB
TE Todd Heap Illness PRB
DE Trevor Pryce Head PRB
T Willie Anderson Foot PRB
T Jared Gaither Shoulder PRB
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder PRB
RB Le’Ron McClain Thigh PRB
RB Lorenzo Neal Thigh PRB
Bengals
Player Injury Status
DE Robert Geathers Knee OUT
G Steve Kooistra Knee OUT
QB Carson Palmer Right Elbow OUT
DE Frostee Rucker Hamstring OUT
G Andrew Whitworth Ankle OUT
LB Eric Henderson Neck DBT
CB David Jones Knee DBT
T Levi Jones Back DBT
S Chinedum Ndukwe Foot DBT
DE Antwan Odom Shoulder DBT
G Andrew Crummey Knee PRB
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh Back PRB
LB Rashad Jeanty Shin PRB
WR Jerome Simpson Ankle PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L T
Steelers 8 3 0
Ravens 7 4 0
Browns 4 7 0
Bengals 1 9 1
AFC North Outlook: The Ravens and Steelers would be tied for the division lead if the Ravens win and the Steelers lose. If both teams win, the Steelers maintain sole possession of first place. If the Steelers win and the Ravens lose, the Steelers take a 2 game lead over the Ravens in the division, which could mean the end of the Ravens division chances. The Steelers face the Patriots in New England. The Browns face the Colts at home.
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, and let’s go kick the Bengals’s butts!