This is a big game and you all know all the reasons why for the Steelers.
The Bengals are going to have a bit of an adjustment to make without top corner Leon Hall in the lineup. But Ray Lewis is also banged up for the Ravens, which could help negate that against a solid Cincinnati run game.
Know this, in his last four games against the Bengals, Joe Flacco has thrown two touchdown passes and nine - count 'em - nine interceptions.
Also, after giving Ray Rice just five carries last week - you've gotta love Cam Cameron - expect the Ravens to try to get him a lot more involved this week. That's all well and good, but the Bengals can actually stop the run pretty well.
Baltimore is also finally expected to get Lee Evans back.
If this game were in Cincinnati, I'd pick the Bengals. As it is, I still like them to cover the 7-point spread.
Rookie QB Andy Dalton is playing some good football.
Take Baltimore to win, but Cincinnati to cover in a 23-17 loss
How is Green's knee? Will he be out too?
ReplyDeletethe loss of hall and a banged up green at best is too much for cincy to overcome.
ReplyDeleteinteresting dilemma for the ravens though. they ignored rice and flacco stunk up the joint last game. but now, the bengals are down a CB. so do you attack them through the air knowing they have a decent run defense?
short of any horrible turnovers by the ravens, i don't think cincy is quite ready for the big time, especially with their injuries.
AFAIK, Ray Lewis is out this week. Dalton gets rid of the ball in a hurry which should help neutralize Balt's pass rush.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a good game that I think is a pick 'em.
This game could go either way. Baltimore plays well at home against good teams. But if Flacco throws a couple picks the Bengals ought to win..... Either way I wouldn`t bet on it...
ReplyDeleteDale, what's the story with Rooney and Tomlin meeting with Goodell over the fines? Was Coach T told to sit down and shut up about the Clark fine?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they were discussing the fine and also the statement by several players that Tomlin singled that hit out as the way to break up a pass.
ReplyDeleteI think the Bengals D-line could dominate the Ravens O-line and shut down their offense. I just don't know if the Bengals will be able to do anything on offense either. It would probably take the Bengals running game going off on the Ravens like Seattle did. Baltimore has been unbeatable at home this year though.
ReplyDeleteFor as inconsistent as the Ravens have been, I just don't see them dropping two in a row like this.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great for the Steelers if the Ravens lost another one, but the Steelers need to focus on the games they have.
By the numbers, Cincinnati has a shot, but I don't see Baltimore mailing it in again.
Do we know what a TD is these days? Overturning that Cincy TD was a terrible call. Too bad Cincy shot itself in the foot so much.
ReplyDeletei didn't see the game, let me know if there is video of that play anywhere.
ReplyDeletealso, raider's coach called out the refs yesterday. said he just couldn't hold it in anymore. complained about what we have been saying all along. what is legal, what is not, etc., etc.
while i don't think the nfl refs are particularly good, i blame it on the league. they're rules are ambigious at best when trying to apply them "in-game." that leaves it up to the refs to try and figure it out on the fly. naturally, some refs are more inclined to call a penalty if it's just a big hit.
thanks goodell.
I'm sure there's video out there of the non-TD.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when rules leave room for interpretation, that's exactly what will happen. The two rules that were made black and white (receiver must come down with both feet in bounds regardless and facemask) from ambiguous have worked fine. Don't get both feet in bounds, imcomplete pass. Grab a facemask or inside of the helmet, 15 yard penalty.
Today's pro game is just too fast for these fine line distinctions the rules try to make and for the referees to enforce them uniformly.
what was worse than the non-TD call was on the Bengals final drive they got that crucial intentional grounding penalty but if you watch the play, Suggs horse-collared Dalton really bad. total BS
ReplyDeletefinally saw the non-td for grisham for cincy. wow, what a crock.
ReplyDeletei'll let the conspiracy theory ooze out of me and suggest the nfl is giving the refs more room for interpretation on their calls so the nfl can have greater influence over the games. hmmm....
...ok, most likely not. but, a sickening call anyway. it altered the outcome of the game, possibly the playoffs, etc. all because he didn't "complete the act of catching the ball."
bull crap, i could argue the act of catching the ball was completed on his second step. what if he stumbles for 3 steps, hits a camera guy and then drops the ball? still incomplete? morons.
I have a better conspiracy theory. What if the Harbaughs collude for SF to tank against brother Jim and then brother John helps brother Jim game plan for the Steeler game in Dec?
ReplyDeleteno doubt they'll be sharing info. no need to tank a game for that.
ReplyDeletesorry man, but that's an awfully stupid theory. Any coach knows that if they do something stupid like that they'll get fired. This is the nfl not high school
ReplyDeleteyou're right. it's not high school. there's millions of dollars on the line for these teams in revenue from the gates, merchandising, et. so no, they don't share info.
ReplyDeleteYou mean like Belichek was fired for illegally taping opponents' practices?
ReplyDeleteI forget where I read it - maybe Yahoo sports - but the Harbaughs are going for Thanksgiving and 50th anniversary dinner at their parents. Then they are planning to watch game film together.