Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis may not be on the field today against the Bengals due to a toe injury he suffered in last week's loss to the 3-6 Seattle Seahawks . There's been speculation that Ray will try to play even though he has not attended any of the teams practices this week. The Ravens will be without their top defensive leader so the Bengals need to take advantage of the middle of the defense.
The Bengals offense has to mirror the Seattle last week and make sure they attack this defense on the ground. Marshawn Lynch pounded the Ravens defense last week for 109 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The Bengals need to get running back Cedric Benson going against a vulnerable Baltimore defense. The Bengals offense will be without rookie sensation A.J. Green and will have to depend on fourth year wideout Jerome Simpson. Simpson had previous success against the Ravens secondary in 2010 posting 12 receptions , 123 yards receiving and one touchdown score. Lately Simpson has been very inconsistent and was called out by offensive coordinator Jay Gruden this week.
One guy that is a sleeper within Bengals is the once practice squad stud Andrew Hawkins. Hawkins had 5 receptions for 56 yards last week and came through on some crucial 3rd downs. Look for Hawkin's role to be expanded against the Ravens. With Lewis out of the Baltimore lineup, the middle of the Ravens defense is exposed and the Bengals offense must use it to their advantage.
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