Ravens @ Bengals- Monday Night Football @ 7 p.m.

By Adam Kiefaber

Quarterback: Baltimore improved the position last year when they went out and signed Steve McNair (below). However, Cincinnati has one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Carson Palmer – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Running Back: The Ravens have always been able to run on Cincinnati. Jamal Lewis is that power back that Cincinnati has never been able to stop. Now, Lewis is a Brownie, but the Ravens went out and traded for running back Willis McGahee. McGahee could be an overall upgrade since he is a better receiver out of the backfield. Backups Mike Anderson and Musa Smith are powerful runners. The Bengals have one of the game’s most consistent running backs in Rudi Johnson. Backup Kenny Watson is a great team player. - EVEN

Wide Receiver: Mark Clayton, Derrick Mason and Demetrius Williams make a solid trio of wide receivers, but it doesn’t compare to the Bengals’ duo. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh make up one the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Offensive Line: The Bengals’ o-line is banged up. No one quite knows the health of OT Willie Anderson. OT Levi Jones has been hurt this preseason and looks to have lost a step. The Ravens have the same health concerns. OT Jonathan Ogden has been banged up. Overall, the Bengals have the better o-line right now. The recent additions of rookies Marshal Yanda and Jared Gaither could change that in the future. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Defensive Line: The Ravens feature a line that caused much havoc in 2006. DE Trevor Pryce has always been great and DE Terrell Suggs is downright scary. DT Kelly Gregg, a former Bengal, has been stuffing the run for the Ravens for a long time. DT Haloti Ngata was impressive as a rookie last year. The Bengals’ line should be better in 2007. DT Domata Peko has a year of experience under his belt. DT John Thornton is solid. DE Justin Smith looked amazing this preseason and DE Robert Geathers is very fast. – EVEN

Linebackers: The Ravens have Ray Lewis (left). The Bengals have a player (Ahmad Brooks) that they hope will turn into Ray Lewis. Brooks didn’t look that good this preseason. OLBs Bart Scott (Baltimore) and Landon Johnson (Bengals) are solid professionals. – ADVANTAGE RAVENS

Secondary: The Ravens have the secondary every team dreams for – CBs Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle – Safeties Ed Reed and Dawan Landry. Reed could be in a close race between himself and Ray Lewis (or maybe that LB from Chicago) for the best defensive player in the NFL. The Bengals’ secondary is questionable at best – CB Johnathan Joseph was impressive as a rookie, but can he catch the ball? CB Deltha O’Neal was great in 2005 and terrible in 2006, which O’Neal will Cincinnati get in 2007? Can SS Dexter Jackson stay healthy? Will FS Madieu Williams be a better tackler? What role will the new rookies play? – ADVANTAGE RAVENS

OVERALL BREAKDOWN:

The perfect team would consist of the Bengals’ offense and the Ravens’ defense. However, in the world of the salary cap, no team would be able to afford that perfect team.

The Bengals have a huge advantage at the quarterback and wide receiver positions.

The Ravens have a huge advantage at the linebacker position and in the secondary.

Overall, I see the Bengals winning due to the energy of this game and the fact that is at Paul Brown Stadium.

FINAL SCORE – BENGALS 21, RAVENS 17

Who cares about special teams? EVEN - unless Shayne Graham can’t play, also both teams have good returners.