Final
1:00 PM ET, November 6, 2005
Top Performers
Passing: C. Palmer (CIN) - 248 YDS, 2 TD
Rushing: R. Johnson (CIN) - 29 CAR, 97 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: C. Johnson (CIN) - 5 REC, 91 YDS
Cincinnati (6-2) at Baltimore (2-5), Sunday 1:00 pm EST
BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Marvin Lewis used his job as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens as a springboard to his first coaching job. Now he has the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North.
Lewis returns to his old stomping grounds Sunday as the Bengals visit the struggling Ravens.
From 1996-2001, Lewis served as defensive coordinator of the Ravens. He was the architect of their record-setting defense in 2000 that allowed just 165 points, the fewest in NFL history, and helped the Ravens win their first Super Bowl.
After posting consecutive 8-8 seasons as Bengals coach, Lewis is bidding to guide the team to the playoffs for the first time since 1990.
Cincinnati, which is one-half game in front of Pittsburgh in the division, is off to its best start since going 7-1 in 1988.
Lewis also has built an aggressive defense with the Bengals, who lead the NFL with 20 interceptions. Last week, the Bengals had five interceptions in a game for the third time this season in a 21-14 victory over Green Bay.
While Lewis has to be happy with his club's progress, the Ravens have been one of the NFL's biggest disappointments and are tied with Cleveland for last in the division.
Not as dominant as it was with Lewis, the Ravens' defense still is what the team is built around. Baltimore ranks sixth in total defense.
The Ravens will be looking to get two of their key cogs back on Sunday. Pro Bowl strong safety Ed Reed has missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain and Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis missed last Monday's contest at Pittsburgh with a hamstring injury.
Despite missing their two best defensive players, the Ravens nearly upset Pittsburgh, but lost 20-19.
Baltimore has scored just 88 points, the fewest in the NFL and ranks 25th in total offense.
The teams split two meetings last season, with each winning on the road.
In the contest here on December 5, Carson Palmer threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes to lead the Bengals to a 27-26 victory.
Palmer, who completed 29-of-36 passes for 382 yards, also led a late drive that Shayne Graham capped with a 24-yard field goal as time expired.
Matchup to watch: Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, who has 48 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns this season, against right cornerback Samari Rolle.
Series: The Ravens lead, 12-6.
Next week: Cincinnati has its bye Baltimore visits Jacksonville, Novemeber 13
Scouting Report
Ravens focused on stopping run
The Ravens will host divisional leader Cincinnati in an AFC North showdown. This game features two organizations heading in opposite directions, though the Ravens did show signs of life in their Monday night loss. QB Carson Palmer will look to continue his hot streak against a good Ravens secondary. Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski must come up with ways to attack a defense that continues to play at a high level, even without MLB Ray Lewis and SS Ed Reed.
Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will again focus on stopping the run and attacking Palmer with an assortment of multiple blitzes when the Bengals pass. Ravens head coach Brian Billick must keep his team from falling apart and challenge it again to play at the level it did against the Steelers.
The Ravens will attack on the ground with a combination of Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor against a Bengals run defense that is allowing 125 yards per game. QB Anthony Wright cannot make mistakes against a Bengals defense that is leading the league in takeaways.
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Matchup
CIN | BAL | |
|---|---|---|
| W-L | 7-2 | 2-6 |
| Avg Points | 23.3 | 12.1 |
| Avg Points Allowed | 14.9 | 17.6 |
| Home Record | 3-1 | 2-2 |
| Road Record | 4-1 | 0-4 |
| Division Record | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Conference Record | 4-2 | 2-4 |
| Complete Standings | ||
Passing Leaders
| Cincinnati | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Burrow | 71.7 | 1653 | 15 | 3 |
| Baltimore | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
| L. Jackson | 70.8 | 967 | 6 | 1 |
| T. Huntley | 69.8 | 727 | 4 | 1 |
Rushing Leaders
| Cincinnati | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Brown | 82 | 285 | 3.5 | 1 | |
| S. Perine | 31 | 126 | 4.1 | 1 | |
| Baltimore | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| D. Henry | 147 | 579 | 3.9 | 7 | |
| L. Jackson | 19 | 144 | 7.6 | 1 | |
Receiving Leaders
| Cincinnati | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. Higgins | 33 | 571 | 17.3 | 2 | |
| J. Chase | 32 | 351 | 11.0 | 5 | |
| Baltimore | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| Z. Flowers | 40 | 608 | 15.2 | 3 | |
| R. Bateman | 18 | 266 | 14.8 | 1 | |
Team Averages & NFL Ranks
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | CIN | |
| BAL | ||
| Yards Passing | CIN | |
| BAL | ||
| Yards Rushing | CIN | |
| BAL | ||
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | CIN | |
| BAL | ||
| Pass Yds Allowed | CIN | |
| BAL | ||
| Rush Yds Allowed | CIN | |
| BAL |
Head to Head Matchups (Since 2001)
| Series tied 5-5 | |
|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2004 | CIN 27, @BAL 26 |
| Sep 26, 2004 | CIN 9, BAL 23 |
| Dec 7, 2003 | CIN 13, @BAL 31 |
| Oct 19, 2003 | CIN 34, BAL 26 |
| Dec 1, 2002 | CIN 23, BAL 27 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | CIN 27, @BAL 38 |
| Dec 23, 2001 | CIN 0, @BAL 16 |
| Sep 23, 2001 | CIN 21, BAL 10 |