By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Baltimore Ravens have strengths throughout their team that will present major challenges today for the Bengals.

They are second in the league in rushing offense at 158.2 yards. Their defense is ranked fourth and anchored by the NFL's most dominant defender, linebacker Ray Lewis. And their opportunistic special teams feature safety Ed Reed, who has blocked two punts and returned them for touchdowns.

But the Bengals are not tied for first at 7-5 with the Ravens without reason. The Bengals offense is one of the league's most balanced and has an overall ranking of seventh. Skill players on offense and special teams also have protected the ball, losing just 13 giveaways, tied with the Jets and Chiefs for fewest.

And though the Bengals defensive statistics are not as impressive, the defense has managed to take away at least part of an opposing offense.

QUARTERBACK

Few, if any, NFL passers are hotter than Jon Kitna. He has 19 touchdowns and four interceptions in the past nine games, including 3 and 0 against the Ravens in October.

Besides going 2-1 in three starts, Baltimore's Anthony Wright has improved team's red-zone and third-down production.

Edge: Bengals

RUNNING BACKS

Both teams have shown they can pass, but the run game remains what they do best.

Jamal Lewis leads the NFL with 1,442 yards, though he has had just two 100-yard games in his past five. He apparently is healing, though, from a sprained right shoulder that lessened his ability to hit defenders. Corey Dillon also has healed from an abdominal strain and is looking for his third consecutive 100-yard game at Baltimore. And don't forget Rudi Johnson.

Edge: Even

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick continue to be among the league's most productive receiving duos. They have a combined 130 receptions for 1,751 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson is looking at his first Pro Bowl. If the Ravens double the outside receivers, tight end Matt Schobel could make another big catch down the middle.

Wide receiver Marcus Robinson is the big-play leaper the Ravens were hoping for with five touchdown catches in the past two games. He and tight end Todd Heap, who has 48 catches, are Wright's top two targets.

Edge: Bengals

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Ravens rotate eight linemen, but their best combination is left tackle Jonathan Ogden and left guard Edwin Mulitalo.

The Bengals have gone with five linemen most of the season. They will need to do a better job today than last week in the run game to re-establish a possession advantage. They also have to give Kitna time, so he can avoid the interception.

Edge: Ravens

DEFENSIVE LINE

Bengals left tackle John Thornton has played through a serious shoulder injury but is now healthy, which will help the run defense. Justin Smith's speed will be an asset when Wright runs.

End Anthony Weaver, the Ravens best linemen, is questionable with a neck injury. If he doesn't play, they are forced to move nose tackle Kelly Gregg outside, which weakens the middle of the defense.

Edge: Ravens

LINEBACKERS

Ray Lewis is just the start of a deep corps. Peter Boulware (5.5 sacks) always is a threat. And rookie rush specialist Terrell Suggs leads the team with eight sacks. The Bengals' run strength is between the tackles, and going right at these fast linebackers is the best way to neutralize their speed.

Kevin Hardy had his best game at Pittsburgh, keying on Jerome Bettis and often bringing him down on the first hit against the run and screen passes.

Edge: Ravens

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Moving Gary Baxter from free safety has given the Ravens another physical cornerback opposite Chris McAlister. Baltimore is 3-1 when Baxter starts at corner.

Injuries might have caught up with the Bengals in the secondary. Jeff Burris (concussions) and Artrell Hawkins (knee) are iffy.

Edge: Ravens

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Ravens field some of the league's best cover and return teams. Watch out for return man Lamont Brightful, who broke a 75-yard kickoff return last week. The Bengals can't let Reed make a play.

Edge: Ravens

COACHING

Marvin Lewis has done a good job of reducing the talk of his Baltimore homecoming, and he has squeezed the most out of his players. One wonders when the balloon will burst.

Brian Billick has never received the credit he deserves in Baltimore, and this year he held the team together when rookie quarterback Kyle Boller was injured and the offense tanked it in St. Louis and Miami. His team reflects his supreme self-confidence.

Edge: Even

Curnutte's prediction: Ravens 27-23

Series history

• The Baltimore Ravens lead the series 10-5.

• The Ravens lead 6-1 in games played in Baltimore.

• The Ravens have won nine of the past 11 games.

• The Bengals' only road victory came in 1996 at old Memorial Stadium. The Bengals came back from a 21-3 score to win 24-21, the biggest comeback in franchise history on the road.

• The Bengals are 0-5 in Baltimore's new stadium, where the Ravens shut them out for three consecutive games, 1999-01, by a combined 75-0.

On today's game

"Marvin has got them drinking the Kool-Aid. They have bought into what he wants, and the winning has given them more confidence. ... These aren't the same old Bengals."

--Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, on the work of Marvin Lewis

Return to Bengals front page...