The Ravens knew they couldn’t play a traditional offensive game.So they played some traditional defense late.The Ravens held on for a 24-21
win over the Bengals
A.J. Green Jersey , putting both teams at 5-5 but pointed in opposite directions.Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson did a decent job protecting the
ball, on a day when they wanted to be run-heavy.In his first start replacing the
injured Joe Flacco, he completed 13-of-19 passes for 150 yards and an
interception. But he also ran it 27 times for 117 yards, and shows some capacity
for making throws on the move.Coupled with recent practice squad promotion Gus
Edwards rushing 17 times for 115 yards and a touchdown, the Ravens were able to
control the ball on the ground, running on 54 of their 75 offensive snaps.The
Bengals had the ball late
Geno Atkins Jersey , but their fourth-down attempt was broken up, underlining a day when they failed to move the ball efficiently. The Bengals were held to 255
total yards, as they clearly can’t move the ball consistently without injured
wide receiver A.J. Green. Andy Dalton has a reserved parking space near to the
players' entrance at Paul Brown Stadium this year.The leisurely walk reminds him
that he's no longer an up-and-comer.The chances to break that long playoff
drought are starting to dwindle for the 30-year-old quarterback.Coming off one
of his least-productive seasons, Dalton is the focus of a reconfigured offense
that will put more emphasis on long plays. The Bengals showed flashes of it
during preseason.In the opener, Dalton completed 6 of 8 passes, four of them for
at least 20 yards — a satisfying showing for an offense that was among the worst
at big plays last season.Dalton completed 71 percent of his throws in preseason
with four touchdowns
Tyler Eifert Jersey , one interception — the receiver fell on his route — and a passer rating of 130.9."I felt real comfortable with the way I played," Dalton
said Wednesday. "With the way this offense has moved and the way we're doing
things, I feel really good about where we are."The Bengals finished last in the
league in yards last season, a franchise-worst showing. Much of it was linked to
a line that couldn't open holes for running backs or protect Dalton, who threw
for the fewest yards of his career in a full season.Interim coordinator Bill
Lazor was retained at the end of the season and given latitude to overhaul the
playbook, with more of an emphasis on big plays. Despite some misgivings about
an adjustment period
Carlos Dunlap Jersey , the offense had few glitches during the preseason."He (Lazor) feels comfortable with it, and our guys feel comfortable with it,"
Dalton said. "The big thing is we're playing fast."The offense gets its first
real test Sunday at Indianapolis, a place where the Bengals haven't won since
1997. Much of the focus will be on the revamped line featuring new starters at
four positions — left guard Clint Boling is the only holdover.The line was
better at giving Dalton time during the preseason, although it still had some
rough times against Dallas."Any time the quarterback has time and the ability to
stop into his throws, you feel like you're going to be able to put the ball in a
good spot
Dre Kirkpatrick Jersey ," Dalton said. "It's a big part of the reason we had the success we did in the preseason."Dalton helped the Bengals reach the
playoffs in each of his first five seasons from 2011-15, losing in the first
round each time. They've failed to reach the playoffs each of the past two
seasons. Cincinnati hasn't won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the
sixth-longest streak of postseason futility in NFL history.Dalton is entering
his eighth season on one of the NFL's youngest teams. Only five players have
more experience. Punter Kevin Huber, long snapper Clark Harris and defensive end
Michael Johnson are in their 10th seasons. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and
defensive tackle Geno Atkins are in their ninth seasons.Dalton, receiver A.J.
Green and Boling are the oldest veterans on offense, each in their eighth
seasons.Coach Marvin Lewis awards parking places near the players' entrance to
those with the most experience. Dalton has graduated to one of the coveted
spots."I feel like I'm one of the oldest on the team
Billy Price Jersey ," he said.INJURY UPDATESLeft tackle Cordy Glenn was limited in practice Wednesday because of a shoulder injury suffered during the
preseason. Receiver Cody Core was held out with a back injury.BAD DAYS IN
INDYThe Bengals are looking to break a streak of eight straight losses in
Indianapolis, including a 26-10 playoff defeat in the first round of the 2014
season. Dalton was only 18 of 35 for 155 yards in an offense missing an injured
Green.
