Steve McNair really got beaten up last week by the Cincinnati Bengals.  He injured his groin in the game and he left in the 4th quarter.  He also hasn’t done much at practice this week and the Ravens might decide to err on the side of caution.  McNair completed 20 of 34 passes (58.8%) for 203 yards with 1 interception (63.7 QB Rating).  Kyle Boller will replace McNair in the starting lineup if he can’t go.  Boller completed 2 of 6 passes (33.3%) for 19 yards with 1 interception (3.5 QB Rating) against the Bengals.  Boller does have a stronger arm than McNair so the Ravens might try to stretch the field against the Jets.

KR/PR B.J. Sams is done for the season after tearing his ACL in Monday Night’s Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Sams returned 4 punts for 37 yards (9.3 avg) and he also returned 5 kickoffs for 140 yards (28.0 avg) against the Bengals.  The Ravens will likely use rookie WR Yamon Figurs as the kick returner and either Figurs or safety Ed Reed will return punts.  Reed returned 2 punts for 68 yards (34.0 avg) including a 63-yarder for a TD against the Bengals.  The Ravens would probably prefer to have Figurs return the punts because Reed means so much to their defense.

LT Jonathan Ogden is out indefinately with a hyper extended toe.  Adam Terry will move over from right tackle to replace Ogden.  Rookie Marshal Yanda will replace Terry at right tackle.  This is a bad thing for the Ravens as Ogden was essentially their best offensive football player.  Look for the run blocking and pass protection to suffer until Ogden can return.

The Ravens could have won the game last night if they weren’t so damn sloppy with the football.  The Ravens offense turned the football over an amazing 6 times last night.  Steve McNair was the main offender as he turned the ball over 4 times himself!  He completed 20 of 34 passes for 203 yards with 1 interception and he also lost three fumbles.  He left the game late in the 4th quarter with a groin injury and Kyle Boller finished up the game.  Boller completed 2 of 6 passes for 19 yards for the game.  But he threw an interception at the Bengals 1-yard line to end the football game.  Willis McGahee did most of the running as he carried the football 19 times for 77 yards (4.1 ypc) and he also added 3 receptions for 34 yards.  Musa Smith also got some work in with 5 carries for 30 yards (6.0 ypc) and a TD.  Derrick Mason led the way for the receiving corps with 7 grabs for 76 yards (10.9 avg).  Demetrius Williams got a surprise start and he caught 3 passes for 55 yards (18.3 avg).  Todd Heap added 4 catches for 29 yards (7.3 avg).  The Ravens finished up with 107 yards rushing on 25 carries (4.3 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 40 passes for 207 yards.

The Ravens defense played well despite the fact that the Bengals scored 27 points as they were often working on a short field.  Ray Lewis led the way for the defense with 11 tackles despite playing most of the game with an injured right arm.  Safety Ed Reed had a good game despite only having 1 tackle as he recovered a fumble and returned a punt 63 yards to a TD in the 4th quarter to tie the football game.  The Bengals only finished the game with 55 yards rushing on 23 carries (2.4 ypc) and they completed 20 of 32 passes for 181 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270910004

I think the smart money takes the over and hopes Steve McNair stays healthy.  RB Willis McGahee is much faster than Jamal Lewis which should help the Ravens run more effective on the perimeter.  Also, look for the Ravens to take advantage of #3 WR Demetrius Williams’ explosive speed when teams cheat up to stop the run.  The defense will again be one of the best in the NFL due to the awesome talent they have in every unit.  Take the over with confidence.

It’s time for the Ravens yearly trip to the Jungle in Cincinnati where they haven’t fared too well lately.  Still, the Ravens back down from no one with the awesome defense they have.  Look for the Bengals to attempt to power the ball on the ground and to throw the ball down the field to their WRs.  The Bengals will likely run a lot to the right side behind RG Bobbie Williams and RT Willie Anderson.  Rudi Johnson will find the yards tough against NT Kelly Gregg and ILBs Bart Scott and Ray Lewis.  OLB Terrell Suggs and LDE Trevor Pryce will be bringing the heat on the pass rush so Carson Palmer may have to throw the football quickly.  WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are both tough and will come back to the football.  But, CB Chris McAllister is one of the best corners in the NFL so look for the Bengals to attack CB Samari Rolle on the other side as he is starting to slide. 

The Ravens will likely attack the Bengals on the ground with Willis McGahee running behind C Mike Flynn, LG Jason Brown and LT Jonathan Ogden.  Look for DE Justin Smith to try to screw up that plan as he rushes the passer well and defends the run with equal vigor.  If the Ravens offensive line gives QB Steve McNair time to throw the Bengals might be in trouble.  WRs Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams will be a handful for CBs Deltha O’Neal and Johnathan Joseph.  Safeties Madieu Williams and Dexter Jackson will also have their hands full with TE Todd Heap who has an incredible set of hands.

PREDICTION:  I like the Bengals to defend their turf in a game that will be higher scoring than most people think.

The Ravens have released WR Clarence Moore.  Moore caught 3 passes for 47 yards during the pre-season for the Ravens.  Don’t fret Ravens fans as Moore always seems to find his way on to the roster to win some jump balls during the season.

The Ravens have signed RB Cory Ross to the practice squad and he deserved to make it.  He carried the football 23 times for 94 yards (4.1 ypc) and caught 3 passes for 14 yards (4.7 avg) in the pre-season for the Ravens.  Look for him to get a shot if the Ravens suffer any injuries at running back.

The Ravens offense was pretty bad against the Falcons last Friday Night.  Kyle Boller was solid while he was in the game as he completed 9 of 15 passes for 144 yards with 1 TD pass.  Rookie QB Troy Smith finished up the game completing 11 of 18 passes for 86 yards.  RBs Musa Smith (3 car, 16 yards) and Willis McGahee (4 car, 12 yards) led the way in the running game for the Ravens.  WR Demetrius Williams led the receivers for the Ravens with 78 yards on 2 catches (39.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  The Ravens finished with 45 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.4 ypc) and they completed 20 of 33 passes for 194 yards.

The Ravens stuffed the Falcons running game as they held them to 110 yards on 40 carries (2.8 ypc)!  The Falcons also completed 17 of 30 passes for 176 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270831001