The old adage states that nothing is more dangerous than a desperate man with nothing to lose. Well, later today in M&T Bank Stadium, there will be 53 of them in purple jerseys.
The 3-5 Baltimore Ravens host the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals, who come in at 6-3. The division leaders will look to all but end the defending Super Bowl champions' playoff aspirations with a win this week.
Why is this game a must-win for the Ravens? With a loss, Baltimore would fall to 3-6, and would then be 3.5 games behind the Bengals for the division lead. And as far as a Wild Card spot is concerned, the worst record that has any chance of claiming the final playoff spot this year will be 9-7. A loss today would make it so that the Ravens would have to win six of their final seven games just to have a CHANCE at the final AFC Wild Card spot.
But the Ravens return to their home turf after playing their last two games on the road in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. If the Ravens can defend their home turf today and end their three-game losing streak, they would then only be 1.5 games behind the Bengals for the AFC North lead. And with a chance to pick up an additional .5 game with a win when the Bengals' bye week comes in week 12, the playoffs would once again be a definite possibility for the Ravens.
It looked as if Baltimore was going to get an advantage against the Cincinnati defensive line with defensive tackle Geno Atkins tearing his ACL last week, taking him out for the rest of the season; but that advantage quickly disappeared when it was announced last week that Ravens left guard Kelechi Osemele's back problem would sideline him for the remainder of the year as well. Bengals standout linebacker Rey Maualuga will also miss today's game with a knee injury.
The key for the Ravens this week is the same that its been for weeks now: They have to run the ball. It is essential that they give Ray Rice ample chances to get some momentum going. They haven't been calling nearly enough run plays in recent weeks, and backup Bernard Pierce is being used too much. Give Ray Rice the ball and let him try and give you production in the running game.
Early success running the ball will be key for the Ravens, opening up the passing game for Joe Flacco. The Ravens quarterback enters today's matchup with an 8-1 record in his career at home in the month of November. The Ravens have won six straight November home games, and Flacco has posted a 100-plus rating in all six.
It's simple. The Baltimore Ravens NEED this game to have a legitimate chance at chasing down a playoff spot. And if the Ravens' season is a sinking ship, then I'm going down with it. Ravens 23, Bengals 20.
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