September 23, 2001
Scouting report
Ravens rushing vs. Bengals run defense -- EVEN
The Ravens can gauge where their running game stands better against the Bengals. In the season opener vs. the Bears, the Ravens' offensive line couldn't move an impressive Chicago front, and RB Terry Allen couldn't break tackles, managing just 1.9 yards a carry. Cincinnati DTs Oliver Gibson and Tony Williams, both of whom lack the girth of Chicago in the middle, held the makeshift Patriots to 68 yards rushing. The keys for the Ravens are cutting off the pursuit of OLB Takeo Spikes as well as finishing their blocks.
Ravens passing vs. Bengals pass defense -- RAVENS
This is the game's biggest mismatch, pitting efficient Ravens QB Elvis Grbac against the inconsistent Cincinnati secondary. Grbac completed 80 percent of his passes (24 of 30) and connected at least twice with six receivers. That spells trouble for a mistake-prone Bengals secondary that has allowed 11 TDs while intercepting only two passes in its past six games dating to last year. With first-round pick Justin Smith expected to play in passing situations, Cincinnati needs to apply pressure to Grbac to bail out its defensive backs.
Bengals rushing vs. Ravens run defense -- RAVENS
The true mastery of the Ravens' defense can be summed up in its domination of Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon. Since 1999, Dillon has averaged only 33.3 yards a game against the Ravens while producing 93 yards a game against the rest of the NFL. Dillon breaks most of his big plays by cutting back and spinning out of tackles. But the Ravens' disciplined front seven stays in its gaps and simply bottles him up.
Bengals passing vs. Ravens pass defense -- RAVENS
The Bengals have improving weapons in WRs Darnay Scott and Peter Warrick, but new QB Jon Kitna may struggle to find them. The Ravens recorded six sacks in two meetings last year, and CBs Duane Starks and Chris McAlister have used the two-week layoff to return to full health. To shore up their vulnerable left tackle spot, the Bengals have added Richmond Webb, the former Miami Dolphin. The mobility of the 34-year-old lineman will be tested by the relentless Michael McCrary.
Special teams -- RAVENS
Jermaine Lewis will likely miss the game with a strained hamstring, but the Bengals prefer to angle punts out of bounds rather than kick to him anyway. The Ravens have an adequate replacement with Corey Harris on kickoffs, but they'll miss Lewis' breakaway potential. The Ravens proved to be solid on their coverage teams in the opener and should negate Cincinnati's Curtis Keaton (36.3 yards) on kickoff returns and Peter Warrick (4.0) on punt returns.
Intangibles -- BENGALS
Riding high from their first season-opening win in five years, the Bengals have a motivational edge. Some of the Bengals are still seething from losing by a combined score of 64-7 last season and were vocal in their displeasure this past week. With the Broncos and Titans on the horizon, the Ravens are primed for a letdown.
Prediction -- RAVENS
The improving Bengals may know how to talk the talk, but the Ravens have quieted much more talented teams. Ravens, 20-6. -- Jamison Hensley
Breakdown
Records : Ravens 1-0; Bengals 1-0.
Line: Ravens by 7.
Vs. spread: Ravens 1-0; Bengals 1-0.
Series: Ravens lead 7-3.
Last meeting: Ravens won, 27-7, on Nov. 5, 2000, in Cincinnati.
Quick hits: Ravens have won past six meetings. ... Ravens have won NFL-high eight straight regular-season games. ... QB Elvis Grbac was 5-for-5 on third down in Week 1. ... TE Shannon Sharpe had 12 catches and three TDs against Bengals last year. ... Ravens defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 38 straight games. ... Bengals have not been 2-0 since 1995. ... Curtis Keaton is NFL leader after Week 1 with 36.3-yard average on kickoff returns. ... K Neil Rackers matched his career high with a 47-yard FG in Week 1.
Injuries
RAVENS: Out: OT Leon Searcy (arm). Doubtful: WR Jermaine Lewis (thigh). Questionable: CB Gary Baxter (knee). Probable: DT Sam Adams (leg), WR Qadry Ismail (hip), DT Tony Siragusa (knee).
BENGALS: Questionable: DE Vaughn Booker (thigh), G Victor Leyva (ankle). Probable: OLB-MLB Adrian Ross (ankle), WR/PR Peter Warrick (knee).
Lineups
Ravens offense
WR 87 Qadry Ismail
LT 75 Jonathan Ogden
LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo
C 62 Mike Flynn
RG 77 Kipp Vickers
RT 78 Sammy Williams
TE 82 Shannon Sharpe
WR 80 Brandon Stokley
QB 18 Elvis Grbac
RB 29 Terry Allen
FB 32 Sam Gash
Bengals defense
LE 96 Vaughn Booker
LT 99 Oliver Gibson
RT 94 Tony Williams
RE 55 Reinard Wilson
LLB 95 Steve Foley
MLB 56 Brian Simmons
RLB 51 Takeo Spikes
LCB 22 Rodney Heath
RCB 27 Artrell Hawkins
SS 26 Cory Hall
FS 42 Chris Carter
Bengals offense
WR 86 Darnay Scott
LT 73 Richmond Webb
LG 72 Matt O'Dwyer C
74 Rich Braham
RG 63 Mike Goff
RT 71 Willie Anderson
TE 82 Tony McGee
WR 80 Peter Warrick
QB 3 Jon Kitna
RB 28 Corey Dillon
FB 41 Lorenzo Neal
Ravens defense
LE 90 Rob Burnett
LT 95 Sam Adams
RT 98 Tony Siragusa
RE 99 Michael McCrary
LLB 58 Peter Boulware
MLB 52 Ray Lewis
RLB 55 Jamie Sharper
LCB 22 Duane Starks
RCB 21 Chris McAlister
SS 45 Corey Harris
FS 26 Rod Woodson
Inside slant
Ravens scout George Kokinis sizes up the Bengals:
Strength: Receiving corps of Darnay Scott, Peter Warrick and Chad Johnson. Scott is a playmaker who has good deceptive deep speed. Warrick is dangerous before and after the catch since he runs extremely quick routes and is elusive.
Weakness: Consistency of K Neil Rackers and P Nick Harris. Both had productive games in the opener against the Patriots. However, Rackers was 12 of 21 on field-goal attempts last year.
Key matchup: Bengals DE Justin Smith vs. Ravens RT Sammy Williams. Smith is 6 feet 4, 270 pounds and runs a 4.7. Smith might see Jonathan Ogden, but putting him against Williams is probably the matchup they want.
