Where do the Cincinnati Bengals go from here? After being bounced from the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years, something has to change. With an offense and defense that each ranked in the top 10 last season, though, the Bengals are actually as close to complete as a team can get.
Bengals vs. Ravens 2014: Time, TV schedule, radio and how to watch online
The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Bengals are finally looking to make a deep run in the playoffs while the Ravens need to figure out their offensive woes.
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But everything will fall on quarterback Andy Dalton, who hasn't proven that he can come through when it really counts. So the journey to a fourth straight playoff appearance begins in Baltimore against the Ravens, and it would behoove Dalton and head coach Marvin Lewis to make it a long one this time.
Baltimore is hoping that last year was just an aberration for the entire offense, which ranked 29th in total yards. The defense, though aging, can still get it done, but the Ravens have to figure out their offensive issues if they want to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Adding wide receiver Steve Smith from the Panthers will help, but the Ravens will have to make it work the first two games of the year without running back Ray Rice, who will be serving his two-game suspension.
How to watch
Where: M&T Bank Stadium
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
Radio: Bengals local listings | Ravens local listings
Online streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket, Verizon NFL Mobile
Nuts and Bolts
The AFC North foes won’t waste any time getting reacquainted. Baltimore has had the upper hand in the matchup recently, winning five of the last seven contests between the teams. Cincinnati, however, knocked off Baltimore 34-17 in Week 17 last season. For years the Ravens were built around dominant defenses. The Ravens slipped some last year and got little help from the offense. Both sides of the ball will be tested early going up against what should be an explosive Bengals offense and stingy defense. Although the game is just the first in a 16-game season, the result could be a factor well into the season. The AFC North race has been tight in recent years and an early head-to-head tiebreaker is a nice advantage.
Further reading
For more on the Bengals, be sure to check out Cincy Jungle.
For more on the Ravens, visit Baltimore Beatdown.
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