Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview

The Bengals, although sitting at 5-2, playing at home, and defeating the Ravens on their previous encounter, are listed as underdogs in this week’s match-up with Baltimore. On this surface, this proposition seems absurd, almost offensive to a team tied atop the AFC North. Yet closer scrutiny implies Cincinnati in reality is the little guy heading into Sunday. A disturbing trend in our sporting society has been to accuse a team of losing a game rather than praise the victors. In this case, it seems warranted, as Baltimore’s lack of composure down the stretch correlated into a Bengals’ W. Not to imply that diminishes Carson’s 4 th quarter heroics; however, many outside the 5-1-3 area code believe the contest was the Ravens to lose. And the Vegas line seems to echo this sentiment.

Talking heads and other media outlets share this take on Sunday’s game. After watching Baltimore dismantle Denver (a team that defeated Cincinnati), some critics vaulted Baltimore back into the discussion of the AFC Elite. Granted, the Ravens offense seems to be running on all cylinders, and the D, which has looked unusually pedestrian at times, played to its reputation. Lost in this consensus is this small tidbit: the last time they took the field, the Bengals laid a 45-10 beatdown on the Chicago Bears. Add on a Bye week, and one would assume the Bengals would be rested and ready for this divisional showdown. So why the underdog status?

Here’s one humble opinion: what looks more plausible: Cincinnati at 5-3, or Baltimore at 4-4?

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Maybe the Ravens are favored because, well, they were supposed to be better than the Bengals, at least at the beginning of the season. And while seven games seems like strong supporting evidence, to nay-sayers, it’s merely an anomaly. I’m sure the handful of nailbiters could be reason for scrutiny, although as a fan, I find it reassuring knowing my team can come through in the clutch.

The purpose of the argument is that while fans in Bengaldom seem to be penciling in the Who-Deys for January football, many outside are still skeptical. Which is why Sunday’s game will go a long way in figuring out if this squad’s legit. Any win can be attributed to chance; twice over a rival in one campaign is more than just happenstance.

The Bengals, to assure their presence in the playoffs, need to finish 6-3 over the next nine weeks. A quick glance at the schedule presents attainable wins with Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, and Cleveland, with probable loses in Pittsburgh and Minnesota. That leaves at the Jets, at San Diego, and Sunday. And the Bengals have never faired well out West.

The point is this: it’s only the first week of November, but if the Bengals envision themselves as contenders, this is a game they should win. Not a must-win, but should.

No matter what the odds say.

By: Joel Beall
ProFootball-fans.com Cincinnati Bengals Correspondent