Bengals Maul Ravens: By the Numbers

Benjamin Butanis by Contributor Written on November 10, 2009
CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 8: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Kelly Gregg #97 of the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) John Sommers II/Getty Images

Ray Lewis is more than willing to talk to the media when the Ravens are winning. He has no problem being the face of the franchise when the defense is one of the best in the league.

He loves talking about Joe Flacco and Co. when the offense is moving the ball and finding the end zone.

Tellingly, Lewis was nowhere to be found after the Bengals' dominating 17-7 win at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.



By the Numbers

4.65: Cedric Benson's average yards per carry against the Ravens this season. With 34 carries for 117 yards on Sunday and his 120-yard game in Week Five, Benson became the first running back to reach the century mark in two consecutive games against the Ravens since Ricky Williams did it in 2002-03.

54: The number of total yards the Ravens offense accumulated in the first half. Flacco was off—he either released the ball too high or held on to it for too long.

2-to-1: The time of possession, in favor of Cincinnati. The Bengals held the ball for 40 minutes, which, in the NFL, is virtually impossible. It speaks to the tenacity of the Bengals defense and the ineffectiveness of the Ravens offense.

38: The distance of Steve Hauschka's missed field goal in the fourth quarter. The field goal would have brought the Ravens within seven points. After Matt Stover's two field goals (from 22 and 37 yards) helped Indianapolis beat Houston, there are a lot of people questioning Ozzie Newsome's choice to not re-sign him during the offseason.

5: The number of passes caught by Ravens receivers. Derrick Mason, who was shut out in Week Five, caught three of those for 31 yards—but Flacco threw to him 13 times.

80: The Ravens' total number of penalty yards. The Bengals were penalized one fewer time but amassed 40 fewer yards. This tendency begs the question: Does this team have any discipline?



Look on the Bright Side

In a game where all facets of the Ravens' game plan failed, there was one bright spot: CB Lardarius Webb is the real deal.

With Ed Reed trying to arm tackle, Domonique Foxworth and Fabian Washington slipping all over the field, and Dawan Landry downright awful in coverage, Webb was the only solid player in the secondary. Webb plays with physicality, turns his hips well in coverage, and wraps up when he tackles.

As a returner, he runs straight ahead—unlike Chris Carr, who runs laterally.

Webb needs to be starting—he played extremely well after Washington left the game with an injury.

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written on November 10, 2009 Game Recap

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