First place is on the line for Cincinnati

By Tre Hutcherson  |   Wednesday, November 01, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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For the Cincinnati Bengals, there is good news and bad news.

OK, I know, all you pessimists out there want the bad news first. Here it is. The Bengals have lost three out of their last four games.

Yikes. And I said there's good news?

Yep, and here it is. This weekend they play the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North.

That's right, First Place!

The NFL season is coming up to the halfway mark and even though the Bengals are experiencing frustration with this season's rocky ups and downs, a win at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore would put Cincinnati pretty much where it expected to be at this time of the year -- at the head of its division.

It is not often that a team can lose with consistency and still compete for the top spot. However, with regards to the Bengals game this Sunday, that is exactly what's on the line.

More specifically, that's what's on the offensive line.

For the team to have a chance this week, the interior linemen will need to give their best effort of the season. Anything short of an all-out performance and the Bengals will likely be competing for a wild card spot for the remainder of the year.

A loss would allow the Ravens to get a two-game lead on Cincinnati. With a very tough remaining schedule, catching up to Baltimore with even that slight of a deficit will be very difficult for the Bengals.

Cincy head coach Marvin Lewis stated yesterday that, "this game is one of those do or die situations you face once or twice a season."

He knows it and the players know it.

With injuries to key veterans Levi Jones and Rich Braham, it has been difficult for the highly regarded offense to get in a rhythm. In just a matter of a few unfortunate plays, the Bengals went from having one of the most experienced lines in football to one that has become a patchwork of newcomers. And that's not a good thing when your team is lining up to face one of the best defenses in the game.

In the past few weeks Eric Steinbach has had to play center, guard and tackle to cover the absence of his fallen comrades. Now he is back to his natural left guard position and the team is relying heavily on two youngsters - second-year backup center Eric Ghiaciuc and rookie left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Both now have a couple of games under their belt and the line has improved steadily since coming off the bye in Week 5.

The offensive line held steady in a narrow loss to Tampa Bay, and was very proficient in keeping Carolina and its stalwart defensive end, Julius Peppers, from doing any damage in a close win over the Panthers.

In the two-point loss to Atlanta this past Sunday, quarterback Carson Palmer had a very efficient day - probably his best of the season - throwing for two touchdowns, no interceptions. The offensive line had a big hand in helping the quarterback improve his performance, allowing only two sacks, and should be gaining confidence in their ability to let Palmer do his thing.

And allowing him to do his thing is important, especially this week.

Since Palmer took over as the starter in 2004, the Bengals are 3-1 versus the Ravens and are averaging 21 points a game over the last three matchups between the two teams. To notch another victory, they will need all of that and maybe even a little more.

If the offensive line gives Palmer the time he needs, he should be able to move the team with his passing. More importantly, though, he must remain error-free; and to do this he can't be constantly under pressure. The O-line needs to keep the fierce Baltimore attack, led by linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott, out of the backfield. The Ravens' defense can win games with turnovers and its ability to score, and Cincinnati has to avoid this scenario at all costs.

If the Bengals can avoid critical mistakes, this game, like the last three that Cincinnati has played - Tampa, Carolina and Atlanta- should also be very close. And very winnable.

The line play is key in making this game what it should be -- one of the best offenses against one of the best defenses in the NFL, mano et mano.

Whichever unit wins takes the edge in the AFC North.

The Cincinnati Bengals are lined up for action 24/7/365 at RealFootball365.com
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