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Lightning Won’t Strike Twice


Last Update: 11/05/2009 2:14 pm
By Larry Carney, WMAR-TV

Everything went right for the Cincinnati Bengals, during their first game with the Baltimore Ravens.

RB Cedric Benson went wild, running for 120 yards against a Ravens defense that hadn’t given up a 100-yard rusher in 39 games. And despite the struggles of Baltimore’s defense this year, the purple and black appeared to be rejuvenated against Denver last week and still ranks 4th in the league in rushing defense.

Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer & WR Chad Ochocinco came up with big plays whenever they needed it. But remember, the game-winning drive was helped by a Ray Lewis unnecessary roughness penalty and a pass interference call on Frank Walker, who was actually benched last week.

I expect the Ravens to tighten up on defense and get to the quarterback more. One wrinkle in the plan is the status of defensive tackle Haloti Ngata who has a sprained ankle. If he doesn’t go, Justin Bannan will replace him. Ngata’s absence will make it tougher to stop Benson and get to Palmer.

On the other side of the ball, the Ravens only ran for 86 yards as a team against the Bengals. Despite leading for most of the game, Baltimore only tried to run 18 times.

That has to change Sunday and it will. The Ravens need to run the ball, to setup the pass.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco & his favorite target WR Derrick Mason struggled. Mason didn’t get a single catch.

The Bengals did a great job making sure that Mason wasn’t going to beat them. Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron will find a way to get him some touches this time. Cincinnati’s secondary will be able to keep Mason’s touches down, but they won’t shut him out this time.

The Bengals should struggle to find the same success on defense. The Bengals will miss DE Antwan Odom, who’s out for the year. In the first meeting, Baltimore’s offensive line needed to double him up to make sure he couldn’t get to Flacco.

Baltimore won’t be fooled twice. Take the Ravens 23-14.



The Talent

John Lindsay - Scripps Howard News Service, Washington

John Lindsay is sports editor for Scripps Howard News Service in Washington, D.C. Writing sports since 1985, John Lindsay has covered NFL, MLB, college football and basketball and major golf events for several newspapers in his career and has been a Heisman Trophy voter since 1996.

Tom Korun - WFTS, Tampa

As we will move forward in our blogging relationship, you and I will likely agree to disagree. You'll learn I mean what I say, and say what I mean. If you don't bring passion, don't waste my time and yours!

David Francois - WFTS, Tampa

A Virginian by birth, David Francois can be found at Elmer’s in Ybor City on Sundays, the only Redskins bar in Tampa. He attended JMU and is proud to say he went to the same school as Scott "Wide Right" Norwood.

Brian Nutt - KJRH, Tulsa

Living in Tulsa means Golden Hurricanes, Sooners, or Cowboys, but not for this guy. Woo Pig Sooie Razorbacks! Nothing like a fall evening in Razorback Stadium calling the Hogs.

Aaron Heintzelman - KSHB, Kansas City

Aaron hopes to use his limited football expertise to fuel many fantasy victories this year, but a quick look at his roster proves he has some work to do. Aaron's true allegiances lie with the Eagles, but you'll also catch him tuning into Chiefs, Steelers and Dolphins games.

Tom Leyden – WXYZ, Detroit

The first book Tom ever read was, "Super Bowl," by John Devaney, written in 1971. He was hooked from that moment. He knows every Super Bowl site, score and MVP. Go ahead - try him. Especially XXI, XXV and XLII. G-Men!

Ian Preuth - WCPO, Cincinnati

I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life so I've seen many bad teams and a few good ones. Most of the time the good teams get screwed because Cincinnati is cursed. I can watch any sport, enjoy competition no matter what it is and appreciate a good debate.

Larry Carney - WMAR, Baltimore

Larry loves crab cakes, football and everything purple and black. He hates Heinz ketchup, Primanti Brothers’ sandwiches and all things Pittsburgh. His fantasy football teams grab running backs on good teams and wide receivers on bad ones. Hidden Talent: Great heckler.

Jeff Heisner - KNXV, Phoenix

I grew up and worked in Detroit and have a keen sense for what bad football really is. After escaping to Arizona I've come to find out professional football isn't all that bad.

Craig Fouhy - KNXV, Phoenix

He's played the game, he's been a coach, and now he's spouting off about it! It's not just about highlights in Phoenix...out here it's a little bit of highlights and a lot of..."Fouhy on Sports!"

Cory Williams - KNXV, Phoenix

Representing the west coast! Cory has spent the last 15 years covering the desert dwelling teams of Arizona. When you’re tired of all the east coast bias (and there's plenty of it here!)...Laugh it off and look west!

Wyatt Wright - WPTV, West Palm Beach

Wyatt Wright is a husband, father and football fan. When he's not yelling at the neighbor kids to get off his lawn, he's reminiscing about seventh grade, when he was a scrappy but undersized linebacker for the 110-pound "B" squad.

Chip Mahaney - E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati

Even though Chip's Cincinnati office has a view of the Bengals' stadium, his heart and mouth are native Texan. His first NFL memory: Super Bowl VI (Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3). Each Saturday in autumn, he prays for a resurrection of the Southwest Conference.

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