Thursday Night Fight: Bengals-Ravens II on PPV

By Tre Hutcherson  |   Tuesday, November 28, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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Earlier this month, the Cincinnati Bengals had a bout with the Baltimore Ravens and suffered a loss by unanimous decision. A scant 25 days later and they are prepared for a rematch.

If Cincinnati does not win Thursday night's showdown, their NFL Heavyweight Title hopes will be all but over.

It is a classic matchup. The Bengals' offense is potent. It likes to take a couple of quick jabs and then go for the devastating haymaker. The Ravens' defense is hardened. It likes to shake off weak combinations and counter with a flurry of punches, featuring a punishing "round house" right.

In their most recent tune-up bouts, the Bengals knocked out the Browns 30-0 and the Ravens pulverized the Steelers 27-0.

This match is one that boxing hype-meister Don King would love to promote. Being that the teams are playing at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium, it could easily be billed as another, "Rumble in the Jungle."

In that famous 1974 fight, Muhammad Ali outfoxed a powerful George Foreman by using his "rope-a-dope" technique for the very first time. After wearing Foreman out, he was able to deliver an eighth-round knockout blow. The victory allowed Ali to regain his Heavyweight Title.

Cincinnati would benefit in using a similar plan. Keep the pressure on the mighty opponent. Lean on them. Press their heads down. Absorb some blows, but don't get hurt. Wear them out, and then unleash on them late in the match.

The Bengals are now 16-0 when Rudi Johnson gets 25 or more rushing attempts. Using him regularly will be key in wearing the Ravens down. Like the "rope-a-dope", 1- and 2-yard gains may seem boring and ineffective, but late in the game, the defense will be susceptible to the big punch.

Another key to the "dope" is not allowing your opponent to deliver the big knockout blow. You need to tie them up inside and restrain them from getting off damaging shots.

During head coach Marvin Lewis' tenure, the Bengals are 23-2 when they win the turnover battle.

In the first matchup this season the Ravens were able to land a few punches early, converting two Cincy turnovers into quick touchdowns. Even though the Bengals were able to get up off the mat and battle back after a standing eight count, at the end of 10 rounds they were too far behind on all of the judge's cards to notch a win.

If there is to be a different result in this match, Cincinnati is going to have to protect the ball. The Bengals were far too careless with it in the teams' first meeting. Letting punter Kyle Larson unloose one down field is far superior to committing a costly turnover.

The Ravens' defense can change the game with takeaways. The unit scores points and makes the team's average Steve McNair-led offense look good by consistently giving them excellent field position.

The Bengals need to force the Ravens' offense to do some punching of its own. It can't allow the Ravens to score points with their defense. In a toe-to-toe matchup of offenses, Cincinnati would easily outpoint the Ravens.

If nothing else, Don King pumping this one up would help the Bengals realize that this is a grudge match. They need to be physical and keep the game under their control. When Baltimore is tired and frustrated, the Bengals need to deliver the knockout blow. The Bengals have the technical skills required to produce a victory, now they need to prove they have the heart.

This one certainly has all the makings of a great fight. These two teams are powerful AFC contenders with very different styles -- the proverbial boxer versus the power puncher.

This battle has another similarity to a great boxing match: you've gotta' pay to watch it! To the chagrin of many, it will only be shown on the NFL Network. Sounds like something else Don King would love.
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