With the dueling personalities of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens joining forces in Cincinnati, Ravens fans have got to expect more smack talk and competition this season from the Bengals than their traditional AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Since Ben Roethlisberger will be on the shelf for four to six weeks and Cincinnati making the necessary moves to stay strong, you’ve got to give your respect to the boys in the ugly orange striped pants.
But hey, you’ve gotta love the NFL. Only in this great league can a team dynamically shift the outlook of a division, we see it every year. Last year the Bengals swept the Baltimore Ravens and are looking to remain competitive in the AFC North this season. Cincinnati really has been the red headed step child in the AFC North and even though they were competitive last season, they took a dive in the playoffs getting beat by the Jets 24-14 on their home turf.
But unlike in years past, the Bengals aren’t looking to go away. In fact, they’ve targeted the Ravens weakness and are looking to attack on it again in 2010. They’re rolling the dice with potential locker room concerns, but the talent is definitely in place for another run this season.
In my opinion, with a veteran Owens who is looking to prove he’s still got it after a quiet year playing for “North America’s team” the Buffalo Bills, Antonio Bryant and the always dangerous Chad Ochocinco provide a dangerous matchup for the battered Ravens secondary. Carson Palmer has always played the Ravens well and the personalities in the Bengals locker room have shifted the rivalry for the 2010 season from the Steelers to the Bengals.
As a fan, I can’t wait to hear the smack talk and watch it all unfold during the season. The Ravens get their chance to take control of the AFC North early when they travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals.
No one should forget that the Bengals won this Division last year. There secondary is also a bit suspect, but they are the ones who wen 2-0 versus the Ravens, not the other way around. Purple glasses sometimes clouds this town’s reality.
Steelers will finish ahead of both.
Fred, that wouldn’t surprise me either. Somehow it keeps being overlooked that the Ravens and Steelers both finished with the same record, only through tie breakers did the Tavens eek into the playoffs. I never discount the Steelers.
Sure you do Mark.
?!?!
I said I, I over exaggerate, not you. Not sure what your post means?
Also, thanks for telling me how I should feel as an Oriole fan. I wasn't sure if I should be infuriated, but now that you told me, I'll try better.