The Super Bowl hangover has been very real for the Baltimore Ravens. They find themselves at 3-5 after giving quarterback Joe Flacco a massive contract. While he has been less than good this season, he is not the only one at fault for their underwhelming start. The Bengals are coming off a terrible defeat against the Miami Dolphins that ended in overtime with quarterback Andy Dalton getting sacked in the end zone for a walk off safety. Both of these teams need this win today more than anything.
The Bengals have looked like the team to beat one week and then struggled to beat a .500 team that they were supposed to dominate. It is the problem that the Bengals expected to have this season, is Andy Dalton reliable enough to get the Bengals to the Super Bowl? The answer appears to be no, but missing key defensive players is not going to help. The Bengals are without DT Geno Atkins, who is considered one of the best at his position, for the rest of the season. They will likely be without middle linebacker Rey Mauluga this week. Hopefully, with these two guys out, the Ray Rice can finally get his season going.
Rice has been having a down year. A season in which he is only averaging 2.7 yards per carry and has not rushed for 300 yards on the season yet. For the Ravens to turn their season around, they will need to attack first. Their lone first quarter touchdown came in their season opener against the Broncos. A game in which Peyton Manning had a historic night and exposed the Ravens for their flaws. The Ravens have beaten Cincinnati the last three meetings agains the Bengals in Baltimore.
The Ravens have looked like a shell of themselves this season. They are not the same team that went on a magical run to the Super Bowl. The Bengals have the talent to win this game and they should win it. Despite the injuries on defense, they still have a lot of great players. If Andy Dalton can hold onto the ball and connect with his receivers then this could result in a blowout. Bengals vs. Ravens- who you takin?
