Ravens @ Bengals

[NewMarketSean]

A little early for this game thread, but what the hell. It's Friday and I am ready for Ravens football.

There is some rain in the forecast for Monday night, although it's a 40% chance of thunderstorms. As a Ravens fan, you have to hope it stays dry. This team's record in bad weather is horrible.

Anyway, I am optimistic for the season this year, but I am still worried about the offense. The defense will be strong as always.

The Bengals offense is always strong and their defense still has problems but they can be good at times. I think the biggest thing in this game is the Ravens getting to Palmer and being able to establish the run. If we can do those 2 things, regardless of the weather, we will win.

Clear weather, Ravens 23 - Bengals 18

Bad weather. Bengals 13 - Ravens 12

[The Wedge]

I tend to agree with you, except I feel it leans Cincy's way in both sets of conditions. If this were here at M&T I'd say we'd have it, but on Monday night, the home opener, I gotta say the Bengals take it. Not like I'm rooting for that.

[tywright]

We're going to need some turnovers, which we didn't get in Cincy last year...and we're going to need a big special teams play to win this game. I really don't think our offense has gelled yet and our passing game will be ineffective against Cincy's underrated secondary.

30-20 Ravens, if everything goes according to my plan

20-16 Bengals, if things don't go our way

[ccbird]

A little early for this game thread, but what the hell. It's Friday and I am ready for Ravens football.

There is some rain in the forecast for Monday night, although it's a 40% chance of thunderstorms. As a Ravens fan, you have to hope it stays dry. This team's record in bad weather is horrible.

Anyway, I am optimistic for the season this year, but I am still worried about the offense. The defense will be strong as always.

The Bengals offense is always strong and their defense still has problems but they can be good at times. I think the biggest thing in this game is the Ravens getting to Palmer and being able to establish the run. If we can do those 2 things, regardless of the weather, we will win.

Clear weather, Ravens 23 - Bengals 18

Bad weather. Bengals 13 - Ravens 12

At first I was really feeling bad about this game. Home opener for Cinci on National Tv and a need to prove themselves had me feeling we probably would lose. However, the closer the game gets the better I'm feeling about our chances. I think we are the more talented team and if we are able to control the clock and keep the D rested we will win rather convincingly.

Ravens-20
Bengals-10

[biggsy]

I have to agree that the Ravens tend to play bad in bad weather games. Mainly because they're defense is built primarly on speed and rain or snow tends to take away from that advantage. However, I think bad weather takes away from the Bengals as well. It takes advantages away from Johnson and T.J. Whosyourmama who rely alot on quickness to get open.

Either way, it's a tough game in Cincy. I say Ravens take it by a slight advantage 24-21.

[longflyball]

Geez people, talk about hedging your bets.

Let's see, it'll be 23-17 if the Ravens win and 27-13 if the Bengals win.

This game is more important to the Ravens than the average Week 1 game. If they get off to a poor start it's not like they'll be able to make up for it against San Diego, New England, Indianapolis, and Seattle in the home stretch. That's just brutal.

Turnovers win the game for Baltimore. 19-13.

[OregonBird]

I'm going to say that Samari Rolle gets beat like a rented mule on some big plays. Palmer throws for 2 passing TD's, they get 3 FG's.

The Bengals defense plays well for the 1st game and we see the same old Ravens offense. 1 TD and 3 Stover FG's. Not much protection for McNair, only short passes, no big plays.

Bengals win 23-16

[geschinger]

Bengals 20 Ravens 16

Home Field Advantage makes the difference... It'll be a game of missed opportunities where the Ravens will settle for FGs when they should have gotten TDs.

[Icterus galbula]

I'm really pumped for the season, but the Bengals always match up well against us.

I've got a feeling the Bengals will come out on top, 21-16

[markakis4pres]

Man alot of you going against the Ravens. They still have the bet D in the league and their Offense is much improved. The Bengals have the worst secondary in the league.

Ravens 21-17

[OregonBird]

Man alot of you going against the Ravens. They still have the bet D in the league and their Offense is much improved. The Bengals have the worst secondary in the league.

Ravens 21-17

The defense will still be very good but I think the jury is still out on offense. We just haven't seen it yet and you still have Billick calling the plays.

[Tank]

I'll be optimistic and say...

Ravens 20
Bengals 10

[GoldenRay2007]

Man alot of you going against the Ravens. They still have the bet D in the league and their Offense is much improved. The Bengals have the worst secondary in the league.

Ravens 21-17

From what I remember last year when we played in Cincy, the Bengals secondary played very well against us except for that one TD pass to Mason.

[AgentOrange]

Bengals 20 Ravens 16

Home Field Advantage makes the difference... It'll be a game of missed opportunities where the Ravens will settle for FGs when they should have gotten TDs.

I couldn't have said it any better myself, unfortunately.

[Tony-OH]

I hope I'm wrong, but I see 17-13 Bengals. Opening on Monday night on the road is tough way to start the season and although I don't think the Bengals defense is very good, I want the Ravens offense to prove they are not the same offense of the past.

I'll be up at 3AM to watch this game though.... Let's hope they don't dissapoint...

The Ravens could easily win this game if they perform up to their potential, but this is a tough opening night gig. I probably would feel better if McGahee and McNair had shown much during the pre season but for now, we'll need the defense to shut down the Bengals and they've had a hard time doing that to Palmer.