Bengals vs. Ravens: Halftime Observations for the Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals came to play in Baltimore today, as they already look much more dominant than the Ravens. Baltimore's woes have continued—this is the sixth game in a row in which they have failed to score a touchdown in the first quarter. 

Boos have already started to fill M&T Bank Stadium. The last time that happened, Joe Flacco took the Ravens down the field a few times in the second half, and the Ravens finished off the largest comeback in team history versus the Arizona Cardinals.

Flacco must have taken the boos to heart again because he took the Ravens 55 yards down the field in under two minutes, capping the drive off with a 35-yard catch-and-run to Anquan Boldin.

Let's take a look a few observations from the first half and some keys to getting the Ravens back in the win column—and atop the AFC. 

1) No. 1 Seed

If the Ravens come out of this matchup with the victory, they vault from the No. 5 seed in the playoffs to the No. 1 seed—which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage. That's something the Ravens definitely want. The Ravens, Texans and Steelers would be tied at 7-3 atop the conference, but because Baltimore is a combined 3-0 vs. the other two teams, they would easily have the tiebreaker.

This is a must-win matchup.

2) Lewis-Less

By far one of the biggest storylines of today's game has been the absence of Ray Lewis from the lineup. No. 52 hadn't missed a game since the final contest of 2007, so you know if he's hurt, it's for real.

Fans are plenty worried about playing without the guy many call the greatest linebacker ever, but this does preview what the Ravens defense could look like in a couple years. Either way, Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe have stepped up big in the absence of Ray Ray.

3) Fresh Meat

There's little doubt that Andy Dalton has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. He shows great poise in the pocket and a strong arm, but the Ravens need to have the rookie-QB mentality in them.

Chuck Pagano has dialed up some insane blitzes, and Dalton was running for his life from Paul Kruger on most third downs in the second quarter.

If Pagano keeps this up, the Ravens should have little trouble getting back in the win column.