Highlights Bengals vs. Ravens NFL Week 9

The Bengals got off to a quick start against the Ravens, and then the defense saved the day. The Bengals offense was awesome in the first half, and for the game out-gained the Ravens 369-215 yards, and 35 of the Raven's came on a meaningless last second play. Coles finished the game as the Bengals top receiver, catching 6 passes for 72 yards, and Ochocinco caught 5 for 66. Cedric Benson had 34 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, not a great average, but he sure did get stuffed a lot late. Carson finished with a 91.0 passer rating, better than Flacco's 48.3, on 20/33 passing for 224 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals possessed the ball for 40:00 to the Ravens 20:00.

The defense really stepped up with a huge sack before the two minute warning, forcing the Ravens to use their second time out with 2:18 on the clock and a big, long third down facing them. Sacks are huge in 2 minute drills. It was 4-down territory, though, and on 3rd and 19 Flacco was sacked by Geathers.

Video highlights of the Bengals vs. Ravens.

Final Analysis - ESPN Style

What did ESPN have to say about yesterday's win in Baltimore?

Benson Excells

Cedric Benson said it could be done, and he went out and proved it when he ran for 120 yards, becoming the first player in 40 games to eclipse 100 yards against the Ravens. The Ravens take great pride in holding other team's running games down, and it had been awhile since the Bengals had been able to run on the Ravens, and in the first half they did a fairly decent job, but Benson turned it on in the second half, including a 28-yard TD run in the third quarter. In all Benson rushed 27 times for 120 yards and a touchdown to help the Bengals improve to 3-0 on the road this season.



I think its safe to say that the Bengals running game is back after three seasons where they failed to average four yards per carry. It has been a big problem for the team, and one they kept saying they were going to fix, and finally it looks like they have.

Not only do we have a runner in Benson who can get tough yards, or sprint for the end zone, but we have an offensive line that has stood tall against both Pittsburg and Baltimore. The Raven's top rated run defense had been giving up just 2.6 yards per carry through the first four games, the Bengals however were able to grind out 4.2 yards. Benson was able to hit Baltimore for the longest runs given up this season. Runs of 17 and 28 yards, the last for a touch down.



Someone on the Bengals must have been watching the movie "The Express", because they unveiled a “super unbalanced” offensive line formation about a half dozen times. At times, guard Evan Mathis and a wide receiver were the only players to the left of center Kyle Cook. On the right were right guard Bobbie Williams, both tackles and both tight ends. This formation really seemed to take the Ravens by surprise.



Coach Lewis on his team's running game, “This is a team [Baltimore] that doesn’t give up 100-yard rushers. Believe me, I know that. It’s a tradition, and it’s prideful. What our offensive group and Cedric did today has been unmatched for a long time. It was a big game.”



UPDATE: Who is the NFL’s leading rusher? Cincinnati Bengals tailback Cedric Benson!

That's right Benson is leading the NFL in rushing with 487 yards, ahead of such elite rushers as Adrian Peterson (481) and Chris Johnson (468) through the first five games. Benson has two 100-yard+ games this season, including Sunday’s 120 rushing yards.

ESPN Interviews Chad After the Game

Here is a really good take by ESPN after the Bengal's victory.



It was great that the Bengal's defense could put such effort on the field for Mike Zimmer, who worked through the tragedy of losing his wife.

What Does ESPN think?

What does ESPN think about the Bengal's chances this week?
Not much.
Watch this quick compilation and you get the feeling they are expecting a complete blow-out.


Mike and Mike in the morning both think the Bengals will lose, though Greeny at least believes the Bengals will keep it close.


The Bengals are definitely getting the reputation as cardiac kids, taking every game down to the wire.


Let's hope they are all wrong and the Bengals can continue what they have done the last three weeks and get a win.