Sunday, November 05, 2000
Who's got the edge?
The Enquirer's Mark Curnutte analyzes how the Bengals and Ravens match up and makes his prediction on today's game.
Quarterback: Ravens
Akili Smith threw the ball well in Cleveland only to have his receivers let him down with a half dozen drops. He's getting close to a break-out passing game, but it won't come against Baltimore's defense.
Trent Dilfer will be better in his second start. He was 11-of-24 passing against the Steelers last week with an interception, but his biggest mistake was a fumbled snap inside the Pittsburgh 10-yard line.
Running backs: Bengals
A 100-yard game against the Ravens would cement Corey Dillon's standing as one of the league's top running backs. Brandon Bennett is a hard-running backup who keeps Dillon fresh for the fourth quarter.
Jamal Lewis is an emerging talent with 530 yards on the ground. Bengal-killer Priest Holmes is always a threat.
Wide receivers/tight ends: Ravens
The corps of young receivers is improving. Let's see if the pass-catching drills paid off this week. Tight end combination of Tony McGee and Marco Battaglia can run block.
Qadry Ismail has 29 reception for 371 yards, but the star is tight end Shannon Sharpe, who continues to produce in his 11th season and has a team-high 35 catches.
Offensive line: Bengals
Even in two starts, veteran left tackle John Jackson emerged as a team leader and plugged a leak on the line. But he's out with a bad hamstring, so all eyes will be on former starter Rod Jones.
The Ravens run the football well, but the line has been it hard by injuries and given up 19 sacks. Center Jeff Mitchell came back last week, which allowed Mike Flynn to return to right guard.
Special teams: Even
The game figures to hinge on the running games, time of possession and field position, so the Bengals are counting on punter Daniel Pope to continue pinning opponents inside the 20.
Kicker Matt Stover is 23-of-25 on field goals and has been the team's sole source of offense since the last Bengals game. He had all 42 of the Ravens' points in five October games.
Defensive line: Ravens
This is an improving, veteran unit which has found its identity in the lineup of ends Michael Bankston and Vaughn Booker and tackles John Copeland and Oliver Gibson.
Ends Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary have nine sacks. Tackles Tony Siragusa (340 pounds) and Sam Adams (330) take up a lot of space and occupy offensive lineman, which allows talented linebackers to roam free.
Linebackers: Ravens
This matchup is essentially even. Almost. Takeo Spikes is in Lewis' class, and Steve Foley is a burgeoning playmaker. Rookie Armegis Spearman has been a surprise.
Ray Lewis is having another All Pro season, but reports out of Baltimore is the Ravens need more production from Jamie Sharper and Peter Boulware, especially Boulware.
Defensive backs: Ravens
Cincinnati's starting secondary has three interceptions and has improved to 15th in the league in pass defense. But there's still a big difference in these units.
The starting secondary, anchored by future hall-of-famer Rod Woodson, has 10 interceptions and is seventh in the league against the pass.
Coaching: Bengals
Dick LeBeau has less talent to work with, although he'd be the first to say otherwise, than Brian Billick. LeBeau has brought the team farther faster in five games than could have been reasonably expected.
Billick hasn't gotten consistent production out of either of his quarterbacks and oversees an offense that hasn't scored a touchdown in 20 quarters.
The winner: Ravens
Baltimore's defense is the best and most dominate in the NFL and could score some points today. They'll stop Cincinnati's running game and force the Bengals to pass.
Predicted score: Ravens 16, Bengals 10
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Who's got the edge?
