Week 17: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Date/Time: Dec. 29; 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paul Brown Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio
Bengals 2012 record: 10-6 (0-1 playoffs)
Ravens 2012 record: 10-6 (4-0 playoffs; Super Bowl Champions)
Offensive Rankings:
Passing:
Bengals: 17th
Ravens: 15th
Rushing:
Bengals: 18th
Ravens: 11th
Overall:
Bengals: 22nd
Ravens: 16th
Defensive Rankings:
Passing:
Bengals: 7th
Ravens: 17th
Rushing:
Bengals: 12th
Ravens: 20th
Overall:
Bengals: 6th
Ravens: 17th
Head-To-Head Record:
15-19 Ravens (10-7 in Cincinnati)
Offseason Additions:
Bengals: LB James Harrison, LB Aaron Maybin, TE Alex Smith, G Mike Pollak
Ravens: DE Elvis Dumervil, LB Rolando McClain, S Michael Huff
Key Draft Picks:
Bengals: TE Tyler Eifert, RB Giovani Bernard, DE Margus Hunt, SS Shawn Williams
Ravens: S Matt Elam, LB Arthur Brown, DT Brandon Williams
Overview:
For the second season in a row, the Bengals finish things off with a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Last year, the Bengals and Ravens both had their playoff spots locked when they faced in Week 17, but the Bengals still came away with a victory that they hoped would give them momentum in the postseason. Unfortunately that wasn't the case.
Week 17 games are tricky. Playoff teams tend to sit their starters to rest them for postseason games, that's why Vegas oddsmakers don't come out with lines for Week 17 games. How the Bengals' Week 17 game goes will depend on what situation each team is in heading into the game. If both teams are already heading to the playoffs, who knows. If the Bengals need a win and Ravens are already in, I'll give it to the Bengals. If it's the opposite, the game will likely go the other way. The Bengals are capable of beating the Ravens in a straight up match and since they're at home, I'd have to give them this one.