Coach Marvin Lewis backs Cincinnati Bengals beat Baltimore Ravens – NFL Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals are targeting a win over the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday (Dec. 30) to avoid ending the season the way they had started – getting a humiliating defeat against their opponents.
Both teams face each other at Paul Brown Stadium to wrap up the season and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said they have an opportunity now to settle the score with the visitors.
Marvin said:
"We didn't kick the season off very good, and now we get to finish it at home. We don't know who we will play (in the playoffs) or where. We just have to take it on ourselves.”
He added:
"More in focus, though, is the Baltimore Ravens. They are a good team that just won our division and a team that beat the snot out of us in the first game."
The Ravens who played host to the Bengals to open the season on Sept. 10 thrashed them 44-13, although the Bengals later managed well to recover from that loss and went on to claim a playoff berth.
Both teams have many points in common while heading into the second round. For example, both are through to the playoffs. They stand a chance to face each other again, if the Bengals lose this Sunday, again.
The Bengals might be visiting the Ravens for a wildcard game in the next phase if they and New England Patriots lose their games, respectively.
It is second time that the Bengals are through to the second round in their history, and they said to be aiming to get past the wildcard phase this time. They made the playoffs last year but were eliminated in the first game because of a defeat at hands
of the Houston Texans, who were playing their first game of the playoffs in their franchise history.
Lewis understands that making the playoffs was a challenge for his team but progressing smoothly in the second round is even a greater daunting task.
On other hand, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is also conscious of his team’s sudden derailing into later part of the season. The Ravens were held out on the edge to the playoffs by unexpected three consecutive losses, and the coach admits they have a lot of
work to do yet. He said:
"We kind of understand what has to happen all across the board as far as where that could shake out on Sunday."
Nevertheless, it is second straight season that the Ravens have won the American Football Conference (AFC) North title. They finished ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
Also, this is their record fifth straight playoff berth. They are hoping to make the Super Bowl this year.
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