Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Chris Canty (99) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Ravens vs. Saints
When: Saturday, 9/7/2014 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: M&T Bank Stadium
Live Stream: NFL.com
Radio: 98 Rock
Local Radio Crew: Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, Qadry Ismail
TV: CBS
TV Crew: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
Preview: The Cincinnati Bengals roll into M&T Bank Stadium to face division rival Baltimore Ravens in what will be their third opening day matchup in the last six seasons. The Ravens have found a lot of success in the month of September, winning 14 straight at home.
Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco has had a lot of success in season openers as well, going 5-1 in his six seasons in the NFL, which is second only to Tom Brady of the Patriots (6-0). Two of those opening day victories have come against the Bengals.
The Ravens likely have a bitter taste in their mouths heading into this matchup after the Bengals eliminated them from playoff contention in week 17 of last season in a decisive 34-17 victory. Last season marked the first time since 2008 that the Ravens have missed the playoffs.
More from Ravens News
- Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
- The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
- Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
- Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
- Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?
The Ravens brought in former Texans head coach and offensive guru Gary Kubiak to fix their run game and the offensive line problems that doomed them last season. While the Ravens come off of the typical “Super Bowl slump,” the Bengals will try and make the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
The Bengals are riding a three game losing streak in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and this season will try and get over the hump. They signed starting quarterback Andy Dalton to a new six year, $115 million dollar contract this offseason, and they have new offensive and defensive coordinators after losing both Jay Gruden (Redskins) and Mike Zimmer (Vikings) to head coaching vacancies.
In the end, we expect the Raven’s early season success to continue. Things may be different in these team’s second matchup later in the season, but winning at M&T Bank Stadium will prove to be as tough a task as it has been in the past for the Bengals. Just don’t expect a blowout.
Betting Line: Ravens +2 1/2, O/U 43
Prediction: Ravens 21, Bengals 17