A lot has happened since the last time the Bengals and Ravens met on the field.
Most obviously, the entire season – the last matchup (in Cincinnati) was played in Week 1. For those with short memories: the final score of that game was 20-0 in favor of the Ravens. To say that the Bengals lost that game would be the kindest way to describe what unfolded.
Shutouts in the NFL are rare, and thus are usually treated as anomalies – teams can’t be that inefficient every week. With that having been the only game of the Bengals’ season at that point, it was hard to know what to make of it.
Fifteen weeks later, that game has some more context. Through the first 240 games of the season, the NFL has seen nine shutouts. Here’s a schedule:
- Week 1
- Baltimore (20) at Cincinnati (0)
- Week 4
- New Orleans (20) at Miami (0)
- Week 7
- Arizona (0) at Los Angeles Rams (33)
- Jacksonville (27) at Indianapolis (0)
- Denver (0) at Los Angeles Chargers (21)
- Week 8
- Miami (0) at Baltimore (40)
- Week 11
- Baltimore (23) at Green Bay (0)
- Week 14
- New York Jets (0) at Denver (23)
- Week 16
- Minnesota (16) at Green Bay (0)
There’s a number of interesting things to be seen here – just look at that Week 7 slate. Both Los Angeles teams, at home, shutting out opponents in the same week? In their first year cohabiting in the city?
More relevantly, Baltimore was responsible for winning three of those games. Given, the Week 1-2 Bengals, the Dolphins, and Brett Hundley’s Packers were woefully inept offenses. Cincinnati fired Ken Zampese two weeks later. Miami and Green Bay were both shut out twice.
Regardless, what the Ravens did against them is an accomplishment that deserves to be taken seriously. They rank 9th in the NFL in total defense, with the 10th-ranked passing unit and 14th-ranked rushing unit. Their 18.1 points allowed per game ranks 4th, behind only the Vikings, Jaguars, and Chargers. At 9-6 – a game ahead of every other wildcard contender – Baltimore missing the playoffs would require several bad breaks.
Conversely, at 6-9, the Bengals have no route to the postseason and only stand to gain a 7-9 record. By all accounts (except for that of the head coach himself), Marvin Lewis will find another job after Sunday’s game. With nothing else standing between the team and the upcoming offseason, fans have little reason to mentally linger in 2017. With the game also falling on New Year’s Eve, they won’t have a shortage of other football content to consume.
As for what the Bengals have to prove? 7-9 and 6-10 is a semantic difference, but not getting shut out again would be nice. That’s no way to (presumably) end Lewis’ fifteen-year tenure.
Injury Report
Bengals
OUT: OT Cedric Ogbuehi
QUESTIONABLE: LB Vontaze Burfict, CB William Jackson III, HB Joe Mixon
Also listed: HB Giovani Bernard, CB Darqueze Dennard, WR Alex Erickson, LB Jordan Evans, FB Ryan Hewitt, S Shawn Williams
Ravens
DOUBTFUL: WR Jeremy Maclin
QUESTIONABLE: G Jermaine Eluemunor, OT Austin Howard, NT Patrick Ricard, WR Mike Wallace, DT Brandon Williams
Also listed: LB Terrell Suggs
Line
OddsShark Predicted Score: Baltimore 34.0, Cincinnati 9.2
Spread Consensus: Baltimore -9.5
Over/Under: 40
Analysis
Clearly, Vegas doesn’t have a lot of faith in the Bengals in this one. That’s fair, but 34.0 to 9.2? Maybe the Ravens just have fans in low places.
In all seriousness though, there’s plenty of reason to favor Baltimore in this one. They’ve won the matchup at home in four of the last six games, dating back to 2011. In the two years the Bengals won, they made the playoffs with records of 10-5-1 and 12-4. This iteration of the Bengals resembles neither of those teams, insofar as on-field success.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
From the Ravens side, they swept the series the last time they beat the Bengals in Cincinnati – back in 2011. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton completed 22 of 44 passes for 232 yards, with no touchdowns but without an interception either. Rookie receiver A.J. Green finished fourth on the team in both receptions and yards, behind Jermaine Gresham, Jerome Simpson, and Andrew Hawkins.
This is to say that the game happened a while ago. Nothing about the Ravens winning in 2011 will help them win again on Sunday, but the methods should be similar. In the Ravens’ two victories that season, they won with a dominant ground game and controlled, low-volume passing attack. Ray Rice combined for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns on 44 carries. Joe Flacco combined to go 32-46 for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns and a pick. Of those totals, Torrey Smith accounted for 11 catches, 198 yards and a touchdown. Aside from one 35-yard touchdown catch by Anquan Boldin, no other wide receiver was involved. The defense, meanwhile, held the Bengals to 40 points over both games.
All of that has been the Ravens’ M.O. over the years. It was their M.O. at their 2013 Super Bowl height, and it was when they’ve excelled this season. It was their attempted M.O. when they crushed the Bengals in Week 1 of this season. Joe Flacco, coming off a relatively recent shoulder surgery, completed 9 of 17 passes. Of the four that went to wide receivers, only one (busted coverage against Jeremy Maclin) went over 10 yards. On the ground Terrance West and Buck Allen combined for 151 yards on 40 carries. Respectable performances from both, but a neither would’ve been mistaken for Rice.
While the Ravens didn’t sign Rice since Week 1, they appear to have settled on a primary back in Alex Collins. A fifth-round pick of Seattle in 2016, Collins joined the practice squad alongside Jeremy Langford after final preseason cuts. Collins hasn’t set the NFL on fire, with 1,064 scrimmage yards on 213 touches, but he’s kept the metaphorical gears of the Ravens’ offense turning. With the injuries the Ravens’ line has faced – specifically losing Marshal Yanda – he’s met the bar for individual performance. With Danny Woodhead playing again after tearing his hamstring in the Week 1 matchup, the Ravens’ backfield has improved.
Does that make them a good matchup against the Bengals’ front seven? That depends a lot on the activity of Vontaze Burfict – who has no incentive to play if not at full health. Other key matchups seem less variable – Clint Boling gave up three sacks at left tackle last week replacing Cedric Ogbuehi. The Lions have one great pass rusher in Ezekiel Ansah; the Ravens have several good ones led by Terrell Suggs. William Jackson, if healthy, is more than a match for any receiver Baltimore currently fields. A.J. Green, against a secondary that lost Jimmy Smith earlier in the season, is favorable.
At the end of the day, most of the key matchups favor the Ravens. 34.0 to 9.2 is a bit much, but them not winning would be a surprise. There’s a reason the Ravens are all but in the playoffs and the Bengals are 6-9, after all.
Prediction
Bengals 13, Ravens 23
– Andy Hammel is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Bengals and the Division Editor for Full Press AFC North. Follow @Andy_Hammel Follow @FPC_Bengals Follow @FPC_AFCN
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2-0 series lead […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's quest for a third-straight […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA playoffs and their current officiating […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
The Game talks about Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom as well as Yankees and ROY Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:04 pm
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Episode 48 Criss Partee Analysis and reaction to Game 1s of the NBA Conference Finalsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 6:50 am
-
Ep. 253: Storm Rolls Into Atlantaby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 12:50 am
-
Ep. 118: The Road To Campby Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2022 at 7:10 pm
-
Bruce There He Is - May 17, 2022by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am