ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

 Well, the Bengals won the first that they just had to win.   Now comes the crucial rematch with the Baltimore Ravens.  The Bengals made mince meat out of them in Baltimore a month ago and now the dirty birds have a hurt quarterback.  All this means nothing.  The game is Sunday at 1 pm in Paul Brown Stadium and anything can happen. 

The sports books have opened the betting with Cincinnati a 2-1/2 point favorite.  That's just about the advantage a home team has - so the game is basically even.  Some people may think it's a fluke but the Bengals have actually played better on the road than at home this year.   

Injuries will have a big effect on the outcome as usual.  Quarterback Lamar Jackson did not practice on Thursday for the Ravens.  Aside from Lamar, they have 9 defensive players on the COVID 19 list.  Be aware that they don't necessarily have the virus but may have come in contact with other who do.  Depending on the timing, they could be retested and become available.  

My guess is that the Ravens shorthandedness will cause the Bengals to play more conservative while the Ravens are playing loosey goosey.  The Bengals may feel they can just manhandle them.  I fear that could be a problem.  Even though we beat them badly in Baltimore, we have to remember it was done with big plays - not a grinding-it-out offense.  Like they say in Nippert Stadium, "Let It Fly".