Last Sunday, the Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-7, and fell to 4-4. The Ravens played poorly on all fours, and did not deserve to win the game. The Bengals got on the board quickly, when QB Carson Palmer found WR Andre Caldwell in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. On the Bengals next drive, they scored again, this time a 1-yard run by RB Cedric Benson. The Bengals took a 17-0 lead at halftime after a 23-yard Shayne Graham field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice. Then, the Ravens had a chance to make it a one possession game when Steven Hauschka missed 38-yard field goal, which, in a way, gave the Bengals the win. This win gives the Bengals the season sweep of the Ravens.
Player of the Game: Bengals RB Cedric Benson-117 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Next week, the Ravens play on Monday Night Football in Cleveland, against the 1-7 Browns. In Week 3, the Ravens beat the Browns at home, 34-3. In that game, the Browns starting QB Brady Quinn was replaced by Derek Anderson, but Quinn will start again Monday night. Browns RB Jamal Lewis is facing his former team for the last time in his career, as he announced his retirement a few weeks ago, effective at the end of the season. Ravens S Ed Reed loves playing the Browns, he has 8 interceptions against them in his career. Struggling Ravens QB Joe Flacco needs to get his game back, and it should be easy this week, because the Browns defense is ranked last in the NFL. Ravens RB Ray Rice is having a break-out season. He is averaging 126 yards per game, and is second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. The struggling Ravens defense should get back on track Monday, the Browns offense is ranked 31st in the NFL. I have the Ravens winning, 31-10.
Suggestion: The Ravens, as a whole, need to step it up. Last year, it looked more like they were playing relaxed and having fun, but this year, the play-calling has been more conservative, and the plays have not been working that well. This team needs to play like the did last year if they want to return to the playoffs.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Browns
Ravens C Matt Birk vs. Browns DT Shaun Rogers Edge: Rogers
Ravens CB Dominique Foxworth vs. Browns WR Josh Cribbs Edge: Foxworth
Injury Report
Ravens
Player-Injury-Status
RB Matt Lawrence-Knee-QST
DT Haloti Ngata-Ankle-QST
CB Lardarius Webb-Illness-QST
CB Chris Carr-Illness-PRB
LB Dannell Ellerbe-Illness-PRB
T Jared Gaither-Neck-PRB
TE Todd Heap-Ankle-PRB
LB Jarret Johnson-Shoulder-PRB
LB Ray Lewis-Foot-PRB
S Haruki Nakamura-Chest-PRB
S Ed Reed-Wrist-PRB
CB Fabian Washington-Thigh-PRB
WR Kelley Washington-Back-PRB
Browns
Player-Injury-Status
TE Michael Gaines-Hamstring-QST
OL Rex Hadnot-Knee-QST
TE Steve Heiden-Knee-QST
RB Jamal Lewis-Ankle-QST
WR Chansi Stuckey-Calf-QST
FB Lawrence Vickers-Hamstring-QST
P Dave Zastudil-Knee-QST
LB David Bowens-Knee-PRB
OL Hank Fraley-Knee-PRB
DL Coye Francies-Knee-PRB
OL Alex Mack-Wrist-PRB
TE Robert Royal-Finger-PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L
Bengals 7 2
Steelers 6 3
Ravens 4 4
Browns 1 7
AFC North Outlook: The Bengals beat the Steelers Sunday, and took first place alone. This is a good thing for the Ravens because it means the Ravens can get closer to second place. The Ravens will not play the Bengals the rest of the year, but they play the Steelers twice.
During the Ravens games, you can check out my new blog, http://ravensgameday.blogspot.com/, in which you can listen to my thoughts as the game goes on. Updates are made after every quarter.
That's it for this week's version of my Ravens Report, see you next week!
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