Ravens at Bengals: Great Offense vs Great Defense

To get you ready for week 1, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Baltimore Ravens/Cincinnati Bengals preview.

2006 Records: (Click names for 2007 preview)

Baltimore Ravens: 13-3 (1st in AFC North)
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8 (2nd in AFC North)

2006 Head-to-Head:

Week 9: Bengals 20-Ravens 26
Week 13: Ravens 7-Bengals 13

When the Ravens have the ball: Baltimore will attempt to use their new toy ... running back Willis McGahee ... against one of 2006's worst defenses. The '07 model played poorly in the preseason and is relying on a 2nd year guy with a questionable past [Ahmad Brooks] to be the leader. That will also keep the Bengals' explosive offense off the field giving them the best shot to win. When the Bengals have the ball: Contrary to popular belief, the Bengals love to run the football. However, Rudi Johnson will find it hard to do so against that Ravens defense. He's a power runner who doesn't really have anyone of note backing him up, so he may not be effective. So the game could be on the arm of Carson Palmer who has to work against a slick secondary. However, B-more can only stop either Chad Johnson or TJ Houshmandzadeh ... or slow both down a little.

Another factor is the health of Cincy's offensive tackles, Levi Jones and Willie Anderson. Both missed a lot of time in the preseason and will be asked to protect Palmer against B-more's rush ends Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce.

The Edge: Baltimore is the better team, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and they have the ability to wreck havoc on the Bengals' offense. The fact that the Ravens will control the ball on offense should frustrate Cincinnati's offense.

Keep an eye on:

Chad Johnson vs Ravens Defense - Every year, Ocho Cinco finds something to say to the Ravens defense ... and this year is no different. So expect both to get their jollies during this game. In their last meeting [a Bengals 13-7 win], Johnson and Housh combined for 18 receptions for 197 yards and a TD. In their first 2006 meeting, Chad Johnson caught just 4 passes for 32 yards. This should be fun.