|
AFC North
|
||||||||||||
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
PCT
|
PF
|
PA
|
Home
|
Road
|
AFC
|
NFC
|
DIV
|
Streak
|
|
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
.778
|
198
|
137
|
3-1
|
4-1
|
5-1
|
2-1
|
2-0
|
Won 3
|
|
|
4
|
5
|
0
|
.444
|
216
|
217
|
2-3
|
2-2
|
3-3
|
1-2
|
2-1
|
Lost 3
|
|
|
3
|
6
|
0
|
.333
|
150
|
184
|
1-3
|
2-3
|
2-4
|
1-2
|
0-2
|
Won 1
|
|
|
3
|
6
|
0
|
.333
|
215
|
207
|
3-2
|
0-4
|
2-5
|
1-1
|
0-1
|
Won 1
|
The defense was forced to make major adjustments to slow the Titans down as MLB Ray Lewis did not play due to a deep back bruise incurred in the Ravens victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Back-up MLB Mike Smith was injured during the Titans’ opening possession forcing the Ravens to play practice squad LB Dennis Haley extensively throughout the contest. This largely enabled Titans RB Travis Henry to gain 107 yards on 27 carries, many of the yards gained inside the tackle box.
McNair completed passes to 8 different Ravens receivers, led by Mark Clayton’s 7 receptions for 125 yards and a TD. WR Derrick Mason contributed 8 receptions for 64 yards and a TD and rookie WR Demetrius Williams caught 4 for 75 yards and continues to shine with his limited opportunities. The Ravens now have a 3 game lead in the AFC North and will look to improve their dormant ground attack in the coming weeks.
It didn’t matter because Cincinnati appeared helpless against Chargers’ QB Phillip Rivers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson in the second half.
"It’s not good," said Palmer, who was 31 of 42 for 440 yards and three touchdowns. "It’s a tough situation to be in. We just have to keep fighting and we might be able to scrape into the playoffs. You never know — 9-7 could get in."
Cincinnati would have to win five of its last seven games just to have a winning record. Given the vibe in the Bengals’ lockerroom that appears to be a long shot.
"There are a lot of unhappy people," Johnson said. "There are reasons why we lost today."
"It’s disappointing," added Marvin Lewis. "We’re not happy or satisfied about anything." The teams combined for 976 total net yards in the high scoring affair.
Meanwhile, embattled Cleveland QB Charlie Frye had a solid performance, completing 16 of 22 passes for 165 yards. For the first time all season, he didn’t throw an interception. "I hope it’s the first of many," Frye said. "I was trying not to force the ball and cut down on the interceptions.â€
Cleveland jumped ahead late in the 1st Qtr when RB Reuben Droughns powered over from the 1 on fourth down. Frye set up the touchdown with a 40-yard pass to TE Kellen Winslow, who badly burned Allen Rossum, the fill-in for injured CB Jason Webster. After Sean Jones made a diving interception on QB Michael Vick, the Browns quickly drove for another TD. Frye completed three straight passes, the last a 19-yard scoring strike to WR Braylon Edwards, who found himself wide open in the middle of a zone defense that broke down.
"Charlie did a wonderful job today," Droughns said. "If he keeps making plays like he did today, he’s going to be a good quarterback."
The Steelers played most of the final three quarters without All-Pro S Troy Polamalu and CB Deshea Townsend, who had concussions. The injuries forced coach Bill Cowher to go far down the bench for backups, especially with the Steelers frequently using five defensive backs.
"We gave up too many points and too many yards (517), but we competed hard," LB Joey Porter said. "We got a win and that’s all that counts."
After turning the ball over 10 times in their previous two games, the Steelers started putting the ball into Parker’s hands during a 187-yard second half in which his two long runs took place about eight minutes apart. The Steelers had been limited to 240 yards rushing while losing consecutive games to Atlanta, Oakland and Denver.
PREDICTIONS:
Atlanta (5-4) at Baltimore (7-2)
The Falcons limp into Baltimore this Sunday after dropping their last 2 games. They have lost key players to injuries on the defensive side of the ball and rank 30th in the league in pass defense. Look for the Ravens to patiently attack this injury decimated unit by using their 15th rated passing attack (yes, you read that correctly) to set up a running attack that they will need as the weather turns colder. Atlanta has the league’s number 1 ranked rush offense and will pose problems for the Ravens defense if they can shake Warrick Dunn loose. The Falcons will also attempt to hit some big plays against a Ravens secondary that has been exposed in recent games. This is a difficult match-up for the Ravens, and they will need to control the clock much like they did against the Bengals to get a win on Sunday.
Baltimore 24 Atlanta 20
Cincinnati (4-5) at New Orleans (6-3)
The Saints return home after winning 1 of 2 on the road including a 31 point effort in their loss to the Steelers at Heinz Field. The Bengals are free-falling having lost 5 of 6 including a loss at home to the Chargers after leading 28-7 at halftime. New Orleans offense is rated 3rd in the league and the Bengals defense ranks 28th after having yielded 42 second half points on Sunday. The Saints need to establish their ground attack and the Bengals will afford them that opportunity. The LSU Bayou Bengals have a better chance of winning in New Orleans this week than the group from Ohio.
New Orleans 32 Cincinnati 19
Pittsburgh (3-6) at Cleveland (3-6)
This is a very interesting match-up between teams coming off hard-earned wins last Sunday. Looking purely at the statistics, the Steelers have the advantage, particularly if RB Willie Parker builds off of his performance against the Saints. Looking over the last quarter of the year, the Browns have played better football than the Steelers. The Browns have won 2 of their last 3 and played decently in 2 losses to Denver and San Diego. The Browns were beaten rather soundly at home on Christmas Eve 2005 to the tune of 41-0 to the Steelers. The players remember that embarrassment. The Steelers defense is struggling, particularly in the secondary and S Troy Polamalu suffered a concussion versus the Saints. This game could boil down to which beleaguered secondary remains standing at the end. If QB Charlie Frye can avoid the big interception and the Browns can figure out a way to slow down Parker, they may be able to pull out a victory. ITH says they will…
Cleveland 24 Pittsburgh 23
Record Last Week: 3 – 0
Season to date: 18 – 13
