Cincinnati Bengals win 23-17 as Baltimore Ravens rest key players for playoffs – NFL Recap
The Baltimore Ravens rested some of their key players and pulled out of the field a couple more after a few series to give them time for preparations for the playoffs, although the decision cost them the season’s closing game 23-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals
on Sunday (Dec. 30).
Linebacker Terrell Suggs, wider receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were not included in the Ravens’ squad versus the Bengals. They went on to pull out quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice after a couple of series.
Coach John Harbaugh insisted the decision was made just to allow the star performers some extra time before the first playoff game versus the Indianapolis Colts. The Ravens have won a first week bye and will face their American Football Conference (AFC)
South division rivals, the Colts, who will be led by their defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
The Colts head coach has just returned to the sideline after successfully beating Leukaemia and some of the Ravens players are excited to be reunited with their former boss.
Safety Ed Reed said:
"Chuck's like a dad to me. He means a lot to me. I would have much rather seen them in the AFC championship game than the first game."
Harbaugh went on to say:
"I love his family, and he's one of my closest personal friends in coaching. What he's been through is phenomenal, but we're all competitors so that gets set aside."
The coach earlier mentioned that they do not want to take chances versus quarterback Andrew Luck-led Colts in the playoff game. He has spoken high of the offence leader’s ability to beat any side in the league, no matter how little experience he has of the
pro league.
With the win over the Ravens, the Bengals are locked into the sixth seed. They are the final wildcard team and will face their last year’s rivals the Houston Texans in the first game. The Bengals lost to the Texans last year, when they were playing in the
second round for the first time in their history.
Irrespective of what future holds for them, the Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is pleased with the fact that they have ended the regular season on a high note. The Bengals by winning closing game of the season have ended as a second seed team from the AFC North.
The other two teams – the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns – could not make the playoffs.
With a 10-6 record the Bengals have done better this year. It is a remarkable comeback from the side from a poor start to the season, starting right with a humiliating defeat to the Ravens.
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