Bengals @ Ravens - Preview

If you had one word to describe this game, what would it be?

Would you say it was “ugly?” “Meaningless?” “Worthless?”

There are not a pair of two teams facing off in the opening week of the National Football League that have let down their fans as much as the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens.

Neither fan base has much confidence in their team’s chances in 2008, but at the same time both teams are not far from having successful seasons and high expectations.

Baltimore won 13 games and a AFC North title in ‘07, as the Bengals won 11 and a division title in ‘05. Both teams have many of the same key players that made up those successful teams, but each team has looked miserable of late.

After two underachieving seasons, many Bengals fans still had high hopes for a playoff season in ‘08. That was until the Bengals dropped two home preseason games in the ugliest fashion ever in a NFL preseason. All of sudden those fans that were hoping for a great year, lost all of that optimistic pride and went back to being disgruntled Bengals fans.

The Ravens absolutely fell apart last season. The team that had everyone back minus linebacker Adalius Thomas won only five games all season. In Week One last year, a few fans jumped off the bandwagon after an ugly 20-27 loss to Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. With every passing week, a few fans took the jump and then the hinges blew off when the team lost to then-winless Miami. Now, the once loved Brian Billick lost his job, future Hall-of-Famer Jonathan Ogden has retired and the team that had the most feared defense in league was now considered slow and old.

So what is the word the describes this game?

It is probably, “big,” because whoever loses this game loses compete hope.

For the sake of the city of Cincinnati, let’s hope the Bengals win.

BREAKDOWN: OFFENSE

This is the simplest breakdown there could be when comparing two NFL teams.

One team, the Bengals, have a great offense (on paper) and one team, the Ravens, have a great defense (on paper).

Let’s start with the offense. The Bengals have Carson Palmer, the Ravens have a rookie, Joe Flacco, who didn’t even play for a major college football program. Flacco, who we shall name Falco (left) from the mildly entertaining movie “The Replacements,” played his college ball at Delaware and has the ability to be great, but you have to think that he will struggle in his first game. I know, I know, he is playing the Bengals, but I don’t care, last season, the Bengals made Steve McNair look like a rundown Steve DeBerg. In other words, he was terrible - sorry to Deberg, he has nothing to do with this.

Anyways, you have to give Cincinnati the advantage at wide receiver and on the offensive line. I would call the running back position a push.

BREAKDOWN: DEFENSE

Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs - those names strike fear in their opponents. Bart Scott, Samari Rolle, Chris McAlister, Kelly Gregg and Trevor Pryce have all, at one time, been one of top players in the league at their positions. Now, according to most, there are all getting too old. The Ravens do have one great young defensive player in Haloti Ngata, but that is really it.

According to sources that cover the Ravens, “the secondary is in shambles.” McAlister has not played a snap all preseason and many are surprised that he is not on the injury report, Rolle lost a step last year and hasn’t played much in the preseason and everyone is surprised to see Ed Reed practicing. All preseason, Reed has either not been practicing or doing so with a red jersey (no contact). Reed has been suffering from a neck injury and don’t be surprised if he only sees limited action this Sunday.

The Bengals defense might look better than it is, that is if Falco struggles. However, all eyes will be on rookie Keith Rivers, who I predict will lead the team in tackles in his first NFL game. Also keep an eye on Antwan Odom (above), who was injured on the first day of training camp, he will finally see the field for the first time after missing the entire preseason.

The Ravens have a big advantage on this side of the ball, but the Bengals might actually look good due to Baltimore’s horrible offense.

INJURY REPORT

BENGALS - Fullback Jeremi Johnson suffered a knee injury this week and will miss the entire ‘08 season. As expected, safety Chinedum Ndukwe and defensive tackle Pat Sims will not play. Defensive end Jonathan Fanene did not participate in practice on Thursday. Wide receiver Andre Caldwell, linebacker Brandon Johnson, defensive tackle John Thornton and running back Kenny Watson were limited in practice on Thursday. Wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, quarterback Carson Palmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Odom fully participated in practice on Thursday.

RAVENS - Defensive tackle Kelly Gregg and quarterback Troy Smith did not participate in practice on Thursday. Tight end Todd Heap, running back Willis McGahee and safety Ed Reed were limited in practice on Thursday.

FUN NOTE

The wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson officially changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco. At first I didn’t care, but as of today his name is officially Chad Ocho Cinco, it is listed on the injury report, it will be listed on the roster, the Bengals Pro Shop is ordering jerseys and the play-by-play annoucners (if they want to call him correctly) will have to call him Chad Ocho Cinco. I know everyone thinks it is annoying, but I like the change. Personally, I didn’t want to call him Chad Johnson anymore, so that took care of that problem.

PREDICTION

Bengals win 27-24 on a last second touchdown. With one tic let on the clock, Shayne Graham will miss the extra point, leaving everyone (the Bengals, Ravens and the fans) with a sour taste in their mouths.

So, I guess the word that best describes this game is…

We shall see, it is Week One, if the Bengals win convincingly then fans will once again have confidence in their team and if the Ravens win big, then their fans will be excited.

If the game is close, then the winning fan will just say that the other team “stinks.”

All in all I don’t know what to call this game, but it sure does smell.