|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
PCT
|
PF
|
PA
|
Home
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Road
|
AFC
|
NFC
|
DIV
|
Streak
|
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
1.000
|
55
|
6
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1-0
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1-0
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1-0
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1-0
|
0-0
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Won 2
|
|
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2
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0
|
0
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1.000
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57
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27
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1-0
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1-0
|
2-0
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
Won 2
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
.500
|
28
|
26
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
0-0
|
0-0
|
Lost 1
|
|
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
.000
|
31
|
53
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0-1
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0-1
|
0-1
|
0-1
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0-1
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Lost 2
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Week 3 in the AFC North features two division match-ups as the Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers clash with the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field.
Baltimore Ravens (2 – 0)
The Ravens enter week 3 after its defense dominated the hapless Oakland Raiders in a 28-6 home opening victory. While the running game was effective for the most part, the passing attack was inconsistent and the offensive unit failed to capitalize on several red zone opportunities, having to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. Inconsistency in the offensive line play and unimaginative play selection enabled the Raiders defensive line to compete with the Ravens throughout the contest. ITH suggests that the game plan needs to include more touches for WR Mark Clayton, WR Demetrius Williams and RB Musa Smith.
The defense was absolutely dominant in forcing 6 turnovers, picking up 6 sacks and scored on a safety. ITH salutes the 12th man in the stands on Sunday for providing the crowd noise necessary to further augment the performance of the defense.
Taking to the road this coming Sunday to face the Browns, the Ravens can take comfort in the fact that they own a +8 turnover margin after just 2 games. The Browns offense has been largely unspectacular in its first 2 contests, particularly having difficulty with consistency in rushing the football. Not having a strong running attack plays right into the hands of Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens need to focus on containing WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow Jr in order to continue their defensive dominance. At 0 – 2 you can bet that Romeo Crennel will have his team up for this contest, and the Browns have the ability to compete on the defensive side of the ball. ITH believes that the Ravens will continue to improve in the passing game as the season progresses, and if the offense doesn’t turn the ball over in Cleveland, they should return home with a 3 – 0 start, which would be the best in team history.
Food for thought for fans concerned about the Ravens offense: The Ravens scored 20 points or more in only 3 games in 2005. They have already scored 20 plus points in each of the first two games of 2006; and the offense is certain to improve as the season progresses!
Cincinnati Bengals (2 – 0)
The Bengals dominated the Cleveland Browns this Sunday in a 34-17 victory at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati’s home opener. QB Carson Palmer threw for 352 yards and his first 2 touchdowns of the season. It was Palmer’s sixth 300-yard game and the second highest total of his career. WR Chris Henry recorded 5 catches for 113 yards and RB Rudi Johnson ran for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Bengals were able to overcome injuries to several starters in posting this victory. WR TJ Houshmandzadeh and LT Levi Jones were inactive with lingering injuries. During the 1st half, the Bengals lost C Rich Braham to a knee injury, S Dexter Jackson to an ankle injury and LB David Pollack who was taken to a hospital for evaluation of an unspecified neck injury. Pollack has been assigned to injured reserve and is lost for the season. WR Chad Johnson got his first touchdown of the 2006 campaign on a spectacular catch at the back of the end zone.
However, on the Bengals final pass attempt in the game, Browns S Brian Russell hit Johnson high, knocking off his helmet and leaving Johnson’s jersey spotted with blood. Johnson still had glassy eyes and several stitches just below his chin when he emerged from the trainer’s room. I guess Russell doesn’t like the chicken dance. By the way, what was Marvin Lewis thinking about leaving Palmer and Johnson in the lineup at the end of what was a virtual blowout after having seen so many of his starters go down with injuries?
Cleveland Browns (0 – 2)
The best way to sum up things for the Browns after game 2 was succinctly stated by Romeo Crennel, “We weren’t good on either side of the ball. It wasn’t good. That’s about all I can say.”
The Browns struggled mightily to move the ball and repeatedly self destructed for the second week in a row. “We felt like we were in position to be able to compete, and we came out the first two games and stunk it up,” linebacker Andra Davis said. Cleveland failed to get more than one first down on any first half drive. They had a field goal and QB Charlie Frye’s late 2-yard touchdown run set up by interceptions. Frye was 20 of 33 for 244 yards. RB Reuben Droughns tallied only 32 yards on 14 carries. WR Braylon Edwards caught a 50-yard pass from Frye and turned it into a 75-yard touchdown. DB Gary Baxter was picked on early and often by QB Carson Palmer and was victimized on big plays by the Bengals receivers.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1 – 1)
The Steelers were shut out by the Jacksonville Jaguars by the score of 9 -0. This was the lowest scoring game in Monday Night Football history and the Jaguars are now 4-0 against the Steelers in September games. In a physical defensive struggle, the Steelers were only able to manage 26 rushing yards on 14 attempts. RB Willie Parker picked up a meager 20 yards on 11 carries. For a team that prides itself on its running game, this is a statistic that won’t sit well with Bill Cowher.
Wearing protective padding around his midsection, QB Ben Roethlisberger returned to the Pittsburgh lineup Monday night, barely two weeks after an emergency appendectomy. "A lot of it was my fault," Roethlisberger said. "I told coach I’ll be OK. When I get some more practice and get on the same page with the receivers, we’ll be good." Roethlisberger returned to see Pittsburgh shut out for the first time since December 2003 against the New York Jets. This begs the question as to why Roethlisberger even started the contest after Charlie Batch’s respectable performance in the opener, and why Cowher didn’t take pressure off his QB by running the ball more. Roethlisberger completed 17 of 32 passes for 141 yards.
The Steelers return home to Heinz Field to face a banged up Cincinnati Bengals team in an important early season contest.
ITH Predictions:
Unless the Ravens have problems with turnovers and penalties, the Browns will have difficulty scoring as they have failed to demonstrate any consistency in their running game. While Cleveland has talented pass catchers and a gutsy young QB, this is not a good spot for them to manufacture points. On the opposite side of the ball, QB Steve McNair should be able to exploit the Browns secondary which will aid in setting up the Ravens potent 3-headed rushing attack.
Baltimore 26 Cleveland 10
Pittsburgh will surely attempt to control the game with the Bengals by going back to their bread and butter rushing attack. You can bet that they will rush the ball more than 14 times this Sunday. The question is whether they will be successful. The Bengals appear to have their passing attack revved up, but they have faced inferior defenses in Kansas City and at home against Cleveland. Their key to success will rest largely upon the ability of RB Rudi Johnson to manufacture rushing yards against the stout Steelers defense. It’s kind of a shame that the Bengals are so banged up, because this game is clearly a marquee match-up. With LB Odell Thurman sitting this one out due to suspension, and the injury to LB David Pollack, the Steelers have an advantage that Coach Bill Cowher will exploit. ITH expects the Steelers to pound out a victory at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh 29 Cincinnati 23
ITH Record – Week 2: 3 – 0
ITH Overall Record: 5 – 2
