Regardless, it's tough to get a feel for this team. Cincinnati had a 14-0 lead against the Browns on Sunday and barely won in overtime. If the Bengals were legitimate contenders, they should have put the Browns away early and won by more, right?
This Bengals team is solid. Quarterback Carson Palmer has rallied the team late in each of its three wins, and opposing teams are having matchup problems with receiver Chris Henry on third downs. The defense is better than a year ago, and the only weak area is special teams.
Remember, the Ravens will be the third straight AFC North game for the Bengals. These games are usually physical, and it might be time for a Cincinnati letdown. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson is bothered by a foot injury, and safety Roy Williams is having forearm problems.
Something wrong with Reed?
Defensive ends Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs got off to slow starts but have played extremely well the past two games.
Now, we're just waiting on Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed.
This is not the Reed we saw last season, when he was considered one of the top two or three defensive players in the NFL. Reed appears to just drift out on the field, hesitant and late on tackles.
Maybe the neck injury is more serious than first believed.
Running argument
Even after a good night's sleep, it's still hard to imagine why 260-pound fullback Le'Ron McClain didn't touch the ball on third- and fourth-and-1 calls at the Ravens' 45 late in the fourth quarter against New England.
By the way, the next time Ray Rice runs up the middle for 50 yards, it might be a good idea to insert McClain or Willis McGahee for him instead of having him trip over his own feet for a 2-yard gain on the next play. The hole on that play was huge.
Off to a good start
Ellerbe got a lot of playing time Sunday. An undrafted rookie out of Georgia, he has been on the Ravens' radar screen since training camp.
Ellerbe turned in a decent performance against the Patriots and finished with five tackles, one for a loss. The best from this kid is still to come.
"It was great, a real positive experience out there," Ellerbe said. "It was the first time playing since being injured in the first preseason game. It felt good to be out there playing and talking with Ray [Lewis] and Ed [Reed] on the field. It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a kid."
