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The Beat with Aaron Wilson - Ravens v. Bengals: 5 Critical Questions
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Posted On: 11/11/07
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1. Can the Baltimore Ravens bounce back?
As the Ravens (4-4) take on the Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) at M&T Bank Stadium today, it's a matchup of two desperate, downtrodden teams. The Ravens are coming off a 38-7 stink bomb of a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that marks the worst in coach Brian Billick's nine-year tenure. All week, the team has emphasized solidarity, not turning the ball over so much, utilizing sounder technique in the secondary and not committing so many penalties. However, their problems appear so vast that it's hard to believe everything could be rectified during a short week of preparation against a team they've already lost against once to open the season. The Ravens are up against the wall, physically and psychologically. They absolutely need a victory to keep this disappointing season from degenerating into something even uglier: a second half with no hope and virtually nothing to play for except for pride and job security.
2. How will Steve McNair respond?
Despite a month to recuperate from back and groin injuries, McNair turned in one of the worst games of his 13-year career. His arm strength, mobility, decision-making, accuracy and how he holds the football have all become hot-button issues. If McNair doesn't play better, Ravens coach Brian Billick may have no choice but to turn toward once-derided former starter Kyle Boller. McNair, 34, is looking his age, and his string of bad or mediocre outings is uninterrupted dating back to Dec. 31, 2006. Something has to change under center soon.
3. Is the secondary in for another long day at the office?
The Ravens could be missing as many as three starters today six days removed from allowing five touchdown passes to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as safety Ed Reed (head, neck) and cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) are game-time decisions and cornerback Samari Rolle (undisclosed illness) has already been ruled out. Derrick Martin certainly didn't look like the answer with how he waved at the football sailing over his head in giving up several touchdowns against Pittsburgh in his first NFL start.
4. Will the Ravens be able to pressure Carson Palmer?
They need to obviously because Palmer has owned the Ravens lately. In his past seven games against Baltimore, he has completed 148 of 234 passes (63.2 percent) for an average of 267.1 yards per contest with 12 touchdowns for a 92.7 average passer rating. His favorite target has been T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who has caught 64 passes for 834 yards and six touchdowns in 10 career games against Baltimore.
5. Could Todd Heap's return spark the offense?
Quite possibly. Especially considering that the Pro Bowl tight end has traditionally thrived against the Bengals with 43 career catches or 551 yards and three touchdowns in a dozen games against them. The Bengals have struggled to contain tight ends all season.
Photo by Sabina Moran
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