The Cincinnati Bengals are last or near the bottom of the NFL in almost every important offensive category. Their franchise quarterback, one of the five best in the league, isn't expected to throw for another two weeks and could have surgery on his throwing elbow.
But the Ravens aren't going to have any letdowns Sunday in Cincinnati, especially against the Bengals' passing offense. As far as Ravens coach John Harbaugh is concerned, Cincinnati still has one of the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL with Chad Ocho Cinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry.
"How many secondaries in this league can say they are better than their receivers man-to-man?" Harbaugh said. "Our guys are going to go out and try to prove that they are, as they do every week. [The Bengals' receivers] are as good as any in the league and a threat every time they play."
The Ravens certainly know about Ocho Cinco, Houshmandzadeh and Co. They have lit up the Ravens before on long vertical plays.
But it appears that might be different this time around. The Bengals have the 30th-ranked passing attack going into this week's play, averaging just 159.5 yards a game, and are last in total offense with an average of 239.5 yards. Cincinnati is scoring fewer than two touchdowns a game.
The lack of production can be traced to the absence of Carson Palmer, who injured his right elbow Sept. 21 against the New York Giants and has attempted to play only one game since. Harbaugh, though, likes what he sees in replacement Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has completed 152 of 247 passes for 1,218 yards. Fitzpatrick has thrown seven interceptions but has gotten better every game.
"He is talented, and he is a starting quarterback in this league," Harbaugh said. "He is a bright guy who is big, strong and can make throws on the run."
Fitzpatrick's running ability has the Ravens concerned. Palmer was basically a stationary target. Fitzpatrick won't hesitate to pull down the ball and run.
"You can't replace a top quarterback like Carson, but Fitzpatrick moves around, and every game we've seen him, he just keeps getting better," Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle said.
But the Ravens are even more concerned about the Bengals' receivers. Regardless of the quarterback, this group can cause problems. According to Harbaugh and Rolle, the Bengals' passing game hasn't changed much with Fitzpatrick.
