Sunday is our season

[cravnravn]

We need that 1st round bye to get Boldin back on the field, and to capture the AFCN Crown. Dont know about you, but dropping us to the 5th seed will send us out to Denver or Oakland for the first game. And looking back, we played probably our two worst games this season out West vs Seattle & San Diego.

 

We are 1-6 at The Paul, they cant sell out, hell they cant give away tickets to Bengal Fans, management is running a buy 1 get 1 free ticket promotion for this game, love to see Ravens fans scarf them up..

[varaven45]

Crav,

 

Spot on with point 1. This team MUST win Sunday as it cannot afford - injurywise, road woes, etc- to play on the road, whether its out west or not.

 

Regarding the venue, we need Ravens fans in the seats. Otherwise, I dont like the karma, mindset or our team's recent performance going into this game. Plus, Cincy will go into this game knowing they have to win to make the playoffs. We are already in, and while there can be no mistaking point 1 and its obvious motivational effect, this team hasnt played with a sense of urgency on the road all season (sans St Louis and Pittsburgh). Maybe that miraculously changes Sunday.

 

Aside from the "any given Sunday rationale", what makes you think this team will all of sudden rediscover an "on the road" swagger against a team, that gaves us fits at home last month, now has a healthy WR Green, is desperate and now fighting for its playoff lives ?

[BengalBilly]

Regarding the venue, we need Ravens fans in the seats.

 

Please do. I live much to far away to attend the game and put money in Mike Browns pocket. Go ahead, hop in your Hyundai, and make the drive to the Queen city! May I recommend trying the Cincinnati Chili Coneys. More of those restaurants there than McDonalds.

 

 

Plus, Cincy will go into this game knowing they have to win to make the playoffs.

 

Talk about a little bit of incentive!

 

 

Aside from the "any given Sunday rationale", what makes you think this team will all of sudden rediscover an "on the road" swagger against a team, that gave us fits at home last month, now has a healthy WR Green, is desperate and now fighting for its playoff lives ?

 

I agree with everything but the "desperate" part. Dalton has his best WR back on the field, the defense is solid, and I think Marvin Lewis will have the Bengals inspired and ready to play!

[vmax]

The Bengals looked real inspired during that 2nd half Saturday with the playoffs on the line.

Yea that Dalton was good....3 for 9 for 18 yards.

Marvin sure had them fired up!

[BengalBilly]

The Bengals looked real inspired during that 2nd half Saturday with the playoffs on the line.

Yea that Dalton was good....3 for 9 for 18 yards.

Marvin sure had them fired up!

Would you care to count the 2nd half sacks the Bengals had on defense max? That's what won us the game. It's not all about Dalton and the offense. It's about team effort.

[papasmurfbell]

http://www.footballnation.com/content/boldins-absence-looms-large-ravens-bengals-showdown/12358/

 

Boldin's Absence Looms Large In Ravens-Bengals Showdown

 

After the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Cleveland Browns in the first half, an anemic second-half offensive performance put the Ravens' win in jeopardy. Granted, special teams and defensive let-downs left the door open for the Browns. However, the inconsistency of Flacco and Co. is what analysts and fans see as the team's greatest vulnerability. With number one receiver Anquan Boldin side-lined after knee surgery, the offense's ability to dominate is further called into question.

 

Why Boldin's absence is more significant against Cincinnati than other opponents

 

The void created by the physical wide receiver's injury will be particularly noticeable against the Bengals. The Ravens offense has struggled all year when facing 4-3 defensive formations. Three of the four Ravens' losses have been against teams that run a 4-3 defense (San Diego being the exception.) Cincinnati's front four have successfully put pressure on quarterbacks all season.

 

Additionally, Flacco has historically become flustered when faced with a cover 2 defense. Cincinnati has exploited this more than any other team. In 2009 and 2010, Flacco was 1-3 against the Bengals. The Ravens win at home this year came down to the wire, and the defense notched three interceptions. For a Ravens team that has had its share of road struggles, this game in Cincinnati will be a big challenge for the offense- especially with Boldin on the sidelines.

 

Without Boldin, Flacco failed to find his wide receivers in week 16, completing only two passes to his wideouts (both to speedster Torrey Smith.) Flacco targeted Lee Evans four times, without any completions, and targeted rookie Tandon Doss once, unsuccessfully.

 

In the Ravens first meeting with the Bengals, Boldin had only one reception. However, that reception was for 35 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Torrey Smith had six receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. The attention Boldin demanded from the Bengals defense allowed Smith to be a greater threat.

 

Boldin's presence over the middle was an important factor in the Baltimore offense's ability to beat Cincinnati's cover 2. Without Boldin, Torrey Smith will essentially be the number one wide receiver, with Lee Evans, who's thus far been ineffective, lining up opposite Smith. Smith has big play ability, but is inconsistent. Evans, who sustained an ankle injury in preseason, returned to the line-up in week 11. He has not had the time to develop chemistry with Flacco. Against the Browns, the wide receiving corps could get away with mediocrity. With Flacco's issues against cover 2 defenses and the offensive line's struggles against the 4-3 scheme, two receptions by a wide receiver won't cut it.

 

How the Ravens can compensate for Boldin's absence

 

1. Give Tandon Doss a chance

 

Although untested, Doss could be a key contributer in this match-up. Evans and Smith play similar roles as speedy threats,and the similarity in their strengths does not allow them to complement each other. Doss shares some of Boldin's most distinguishing attributes. Boldin provides a strong physical presence, at 6'1” and 223 lb. Doss is 6'2” and 201 lb. Boldin is valued for his good hands, his ability to break tackles, and his strength coming across the middle. Scouts noted these same qualities about Doss going into the 2011 draft.

 

While both receivers lack elite speed, each has been praised for their concentration and instincts. Doss is unproven, but getting him involved in the offense would add dimension to the receiving corps. He won't replace Boldin, but he could be vital to opening up opportunities for Smith and Evans.

 

2. Get the tight ends involved- at the same time

 

One way to beat cover 2 is using two tight end sets. Multiple tight end packages can confuse defenses and allow for blocking across the middle. Lucky for the Ravens, they have two good tight ends. Ed Dickson is big, fast, and improving in his blocking skills. Dennis Pitta has hands of glue and a good chemistry with Flacco. Using one, and sometimes both, on crossing routes and stop routes down the middle will give the Ravens a chance to beat man to man coverage by cornerbacks and zone defense by the safeties.

 

Pitta has been a valuable target for Flacco on third down, but the tight end was not targeted once against the Cleveland Browns. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron needs to get Pitta involved again. Anything less is a waste of resources- resources that are now scarce with Boldin out.

 

3. Don't force the ball to Lee Evans, but find him when he's open.

 

Flacco has had little success hitting Evans on plays that are designed to go Evans' way. Forcing the ball to Evans doesn't work; the quarterback and receiver just aren't connecting at this point. At the same time, Flacco must go through his progressions and find Evans when Evans breaks coverage. Flacco missed a wide open Evans several times in the Ravens-Browns game. The fourth year quarterback is under heavy pressure much of the time, but he has to improve in his reads.

 

Boldin's absence hurts the Ravens' chances against the Bengals. However, if the offense is able to make effective adjustments, it would bode well for them in the playoffs. Boldin is expected to return for the post-season, and his presence combined with a more multifaceted passing offense would make for a formidable Ravens air attack.

[vmax]

Would you care to count the 2nd half sacks the Bengals had on defense max? That's what won us the game. It's not all about Dalton and the offense. It's about team effort.

 

No.

[vmax]

Doss’ experience as a slot receiver also helped convince the coaching staff to activate him over fellow rookie LaQuan Williams, who has four catches for 46 yards – which is four catches and 46 yards more than what Doss has recorded.

 

“I think Tandon has worked hard,” coach John Harbaugh said during his news conference Monday. “He is a slot receiver, which Anquan is a slot receiver. That’s probably the biggest factor. That’s where he has majored throughout the course of the year. He can play inside or outside. You’re asking as compared to LaQuan, right? So LaQuan can play inside and outside, too, but Tandon has probably majored more inside behind Anquan. He has kind of been behind Anquan there for most of the year.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-doss-work-in-slot-played-role-in-active-status-vs-browns-20111226,0,2981585.story

[cravnravn]

^ I was wondering when in the hell they were going to do that..Laquan is just as fast as Torrey..

[OutsideRzAcE]

 

Please do. I live much to far away to attend the game and put money in Mike Browns pocket. Go ahead, hop in your Hyundai, and make the drive to the Queen city! May I recommend trying the Cincinnati Chili Coneys. More of those restaurants there than McDonalds.

 

 

 

 

Talk about a little bit of incentive!

 

 

 

 

I agree with everything but the "desperate" part. Dalton has his best WR back on the field, the defense is solid, and I think Marvin Lewis will have the Bengals inspired and ready to play!

 

Having so much to play for could work against the young Bengals. Look at how the Bengals have played down the stretch with bad second halves against Arizona and Houston and a unimpressive victory at St Louis. They might end up playing too tight vs if they had nothing to play for. The Ravens won't have that problem.

[BengalBilly]

 

Having so much to play for could work against the young Bengals. Look at how the Bengals have played down the stretch with bad second halves against Arizona and Houston and a unimpressive victory at St Louis. They might end up playing too tight vs if they had nothing to play for. The Ravens won't have that problem.

 

I can't argue that. Our top two offensive players being rookies could do the same, but I like our chances none the less. We're playing at home in front of a rare sold out crowd, the Bengals defense has found a way to pressure opposing QB's while limiting the ground game.

 

Need I mention the Ravens haven't been that spectacular lately either? Getting blown out by 7-7 San Diego and slipping by the Browns this late in the season (both games with weak 2nd halves) isn't what I'd call the type of play expected from a team sitting where you're at.

 

No matter what happens Sunday, the Ravens are in the playoffs. Not so with the Bengals, and there in lies the incentive.

[cravnravn]

It all depends on who scarfed up the tickets wether or not its a sold out Bengal Fan Crowd

[BengalBilly]

It all depends on who scarfed up the tickets wether or not its a sold out Bengal Fan Crowd

I'm sure there will be some purple mixed in with the orange on Sunday.

[papasmurfbell]

There is no doubt there will be a heavy Ravens showing. Bmore fans travel well.

[BengalBilly]

There is no doubt there will be a heavy Ravens showing. Bmore fans travel well.

 

The Bengals were selling tickets on a buy one, get one free basis. That's a smokin' deal!

[vmax]

Terrible weather for fans....very windy, rain and cold.

 

Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis was asked Wednesday about the environment he expects to see Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals will be playing in front of just their second sellout crowd of the season at home. It wasn’t a big deal to him.

“Really, man, we don’t care. It doesn’t matter,” said Lewis. “They can come watch if they want to come watch. We’ve got to do one thing. We’ve got to go in and get a victory and come up out of there. So, if there is one person in the seats or whether it’s 60,000 in the stands, we don’t care about it. That’s their problem. We’ve got our own problems.

“We don’t have to worry about selling out. We have to worry about trying to keep people out and things like that. We have a different vibe in Baltimore, and that’s a credit to our city, that’s a credit to our fans. So, that’s something they have to worry with, not us.”

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/12/28/ray-lewis-on-the-pbs-sellout/

Edited December 29, 2011 by vmax

[papasmurfbell]

How were they to stop Ravens fans from taking the BOGOF deal?

[OutsideRzAcE]

How were they to stop Ravens fans from taking the BOGOF deal?

 

It was only available to Bengals Season-Ticket holders

[papasmurfbell]

But they have already bought the tix if they are season ticket holders.

[OutsideRzAcE]

But they have already bought the tix if they are season ticket holders.

 

 

It would be for friends and relatives of Benagls fans. You asked earlier how they could make sure Ravens fans weren't buying the tickets. The best way is to limit that is to have anyone that want to take advantage of this promotion go through STHs. Email from Bengals to their STHs

 

"As you may have heard at the end of today's game, the Bengals have a special ticket promotion for all of our season ticket holders.

 

We are asking your help to give us a homefield advantage versus the Ravens next weekend, with a special friends and family offer: all season ticket holders can invite their friends and family to get tickets through you on a buy one, get one free basis. That's right - you can offer them a special price by utilizing your season ticket status in order to join you at our Bengals-Ravens game next Sunday.

 

In a HUGE game with playoff implications, a loud and proud stadium could make a difference in willing the team to victory over the Ravens and earning a spot in the NFL playoffs.

 

So wear your orange and black and get your family and friends here with you for an exciting afternoon, when the loud crowd is joining the defense in making life miserable for Baltimore!

 

To take advantage of this special offer and purchase tickets, call 513-621-8383 starting Monday with your account information.