SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Bengals run defense -- RAVENS
Jamal Lewis has gained 100 yards in all five of his meetings with Cincinnati, but his toughest game came two months ago. It was all-or-nothing as the Bengals stacked the box, which included using an extra linebacker in place of a safety. Lewis gained 70 yards on three runs and produced 31 yards on his other 16 carries. In its past five games, Cincinnati has allowed the opposition's top running back to average 4.8 yards per carry. Lewis, the league's leading rusher, has cracked 100 yards in just two of his past five outings.
Ravens pass offense vs. Bengals pass defense -- EVEN
The Bengals are banged up in the secondary and are going to be forced to start Artrell Hawkins (probable, knee) or Jeff Burris (doubtful, concussion) at cornerback. There's even a possibility that Burris could start and Hawkins could play the nickel (fifth defensive back). Cincinnati has shown some lapses against the pass, giving up five touchdowns while intercepting just one pass over the past three games. But the Bengals came out on top in the earlier meeting, stopping the Ravens on nine of 11 third-down attempts and forcing two fumbles and an interception by rookie quarterback Kyle Boller. Since Anthony Wright has taken over at quarterback, he has averaged 12.6 yards per completion while revitalizing the Ravens on third downs and in the red zone. Protection is a concern on the right side, where Orlando Brown or Ethan Brooks will take on Duane Clemons, the Bengals' sack leader.
Bengals run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- EVEN
One of the hottest ground games in the NFL, Cincinnati averaged 190.7 yards rushing in November. The two-headed power running attack of Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson will crash in between the tackles and test the endurance of the Ravens' defensive front. No team has schemed better against Ray Lewis this season than the Bengals. Still, the Ravens held Cincinnati to 2.1 yards a carry and didn't allow a run of more than 11 yards in the October game. In the previous five meetings with Lewis in the middle, the Ravens held Dillon under 57 yards rushing four times.
Bengals pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- BENGALS
