Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. (Photo : Reuters)
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) were off to a roaring start and they will try to extend their two-game winning run as they visit the hard-luck Baltimore Ravens (0-2) at the M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
After blasting the Oakland Raiders in their season opener, Cincinnati escaped with a 24-19 home win versus the San Diego Chargers last Sunday, behind a balanced offense led by quarterback Andy Dalton, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Meanwhile, the Ravens were beaten by the Broncos in Week 1 and then suffered a close 37-33 loss against the Raiders last Sunday to start their season winless after two games, via CBS Sports.
Baltimore will make the most of their strong front seven to neutralize the Bengals' running game, while Cincinnati's safeties will try to prevent Joe Flacco from taking over the game with his passing plays.
In contrast, the Bengals would need Dalton's aerial attacks to compensate while Flacco should give more opportunities to the running backs to build a good ground game.
Overall, the Ravens has the advantage since they are playing at home and with their backs against the wall there would be a lot of urgency from John Harbaugh's boys.
Prediction: Ravens win, 28-24
Cincinnati Bengals starting lineup
Offense: Dalton (QB), Hill (RB), Hewitt (FB), Green (WR1), Sanu (WR2), Eifert (TE), Whitworth (LT), Boling (LG), Bodine (C), Zeitler (RG), Smith (RT)
Defense: Dunlap (DE), Peko (DT), Atkins (DT), Johnson (DE), Hawk (OLB), Maualuga (MLB), Rey (OLB), Kirkpatrick (CB1), Jones (CB2), Iloka (SS), Nelson (FS)
Baltimore Ravens starting lineup
Offense: Flacco (QB), Forsett (RB), Juszczyk (FB), S. Smith (WR1), Aiken (WR2), Gillmore (TE), Monroe (LT), Osemele (LG), Zuttah (C), Yanda (RG), Wagner (RT)
Defense: Canty (DE), Williams (NT), Jernigan (DT), Upshaw (OLB), Mosley (ILB), D. Smith (ILB), Dumervil (OLB), Webb (CB1), J. Smith (CB2), Hill (SS), Lewis (FS)
