Bob Haynie: Ravens Can Grab Control On Sunday
The Baltimore Ravens will have a big chance to take control of the AFC North over the next two weeks. The first step towards possible division dominance takes place this coming Sunday in Cincinnati.
The Ravens and Bengals meet at Paul Brown Stadium in a game featuring teams heading in opposite directions. Baltimore is rolling with a 5-2 record while the Bengals (3-2-1) are winless in their last three contests.
Prior to the season, the Bengals were considered to be the team to beat in the division and they did get off to a fast 3-0 start. Since then, injuries have done a number on them on both sides of the ball.
As the Bengals have faltered, the Ravens have risen to the challenge. Over the past two games, the Ravens have scored 77 points in demolishing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons.
Things should be more difficult on the road in Cincinnati, but the Bengals come into this week's matchup ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per game allowed (416.7). Another recent problem for Cincinnati has been protecting QB Andy Dalton. Dalton was not sacked during the team's 3-0 run. He has, however, been decked five times during their winless streak.
The Ravens have sacked opposing QB's 10 times over the last two games.
With a win, the Ravens would be 6-2 at the midway point of their season with the Steelers looming in Pittsburgh the following week.
I know we haven't even reached November, but Baltimore could be ready to put themselves in a position of strength in the AFC North.
We'll see if they're primed for that challenge Sunday afternoon.
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