NFL / Andy Richmond / 09 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Cedric Brown could be the key man in this AFC North showdown, Andy Richmond previews

"I was amazed how few runs were called against the Patriots last week in the Ravens' first loss of the season. Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice must see more carries this week to keep the Bengals honest."

Cincinnati are this year's NFL drama kings, every Bengals game this season has been decided in the final minute. It does not matter whether the opponent is formidable like Pittsburgh or Denver or winless like Cleveland, Cincinnati like to make it interesting.

This game has become a key AFC North matchup, with both teams holding play-off hopes.

Each has a very good quarterback, whose performances will most likely decide the outcome of this game. Baltimore are usually thought of as a team built on defence but the offence is blooming this year, ranking third in the NFL as second season QB Joe Flacco is allowed to expand his repertoire. He could find further success against the Bengals' 26th-ranked pass defence, so far this season he has passed for over 250 yards and at least two touchdowns in three out of four games.

Having said that, Baltimore still can't abandon the run and I was amazed how few runs were called against the Patriots last week in the Ravens' first loss of the season. Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice must see more carries this week to keep the Bengals honest.

Offensively, the Bengals have struggled. The Cincinnati passing attack is still out of sorts and they have relied heavily on RB Cedric Brown who is currently fourth in the league in total rushing yards (367). He comes up against a Ravens defence which has allowed just 59.5 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the league so far this season. Bengals QB Carson Palmer passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Browns, but he will be in for a more difficult week against the Ravens defence.

If the Bengals win this tough divisional battle, their profile will soar. The Ravens played well enough to win at New England last week, but need to curtail the penalties, drops and mental errors that cost them in the end.

Recommendation: Close call? - I'd take the Ravens straight up but -8.5 on the handicap may be too much, over 42.5 points is the call, 1pt at [2.1]

Tags: AFC North, Baltimore Ravens, Cedric Brown, Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco