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Ravens run offense vs. Bengals run defense: Cincinnati is the fifth-ranked run defense, but the Ravens had success against the Bengals in the earlier meeting, averaging 4.6 yards on 18 carries. Ray Rice, whose rushing yards have increased the past two games, gained 69 yards against Cincinnati last month. He has also scored three rushing touchdowns in the past two games. The Bengals have allowed two running backs (Pittsburgh's Willie Parker and Cleveland's Jerome Harrison) to gain more than 70 yards. Edge: EVEN
Ravens pass offense vs. Bengals pass defense: Joe Flacco is averaging 264 yards passing, which is 10th best in the NFL. The Bengals allow 253 yards passing, which is the third-worst average in the league. Since throwing a season-high two interceptions against Cincinnati, Flacco has gone 54 passes without throwing a pick. The Bengals have six interceptions in their past three games. Cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph both have three interceptions. Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason will be motivated after not catching a pass against Cincinnati last month. He has four touchdowns in his past five games. The Bengals' top pass rusher, Antwan Odom, is out for the season with an Achilles' injury. Edge: RAVENS
Bengals run offense vs. Ravens run defense: Haloti Ngata is questionable with a sprained ankle, but the Ravens defensive tackle expects to play. That would be a big boost for the Ravens' run defense, which is going against the NFL's second-leading rusher in Cedric Benson (102.9 yards per game). After rushing for 189 yards against Chicago last Sunday, Benson has six 100-yard games in 17 starts with Cincinnati. The Ravens gave up 120 yards to Benson last month, but they haven't allowed 100 yards to a running back in consecutive meetings since Miami's Ricky Williams in 2002-03. Edge: EVEN
Bengals pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: Carson Palmer has been one of the most successful quarterbacks against the Ravens. He has a 7-3 record, throwing 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions (career quarterback rating of 87.3). The key to stopping Palmer is pressure. When defenses have rushed four players this season, he has a 97.6 quarterback rating. When teams rush five or more, his rating drops to 73. Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has also hurt the Ravens, averaging 4.8 catches and 73.5 yards receiving in 17 career meetings. The Ravens' Terrell Suggs will face left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has allowed only one sack this season. Ravens safety Ed Reed has scored three career touchdowns against the Bengals. Edge: BENGALS
Special teams: Rookie Lardarius Webb provided a much-needed spark to the Ravens' kickoff return game with a 95-yard touchdown last Sunday. He ranks third in the NFL with a 30.3-yard average. The Bengals rank 18th in kickoff coverage. Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka rebounded to make three field goals last game. Cincinnati's Shayne Graham has struggled this season, going 6-for-9 (including 4-for-6 inside 40 yards). Both punters rank in the bottom half of the NFL in net average. Edge: RAVENS
Intangibles: The Ravens know a loss would significantly hurt their chances of winning the AFC North. They trail the Bengals and Steelers by one game in the division, and have only been swept by the Bengals three times in their 13-year existence (1996, 2005 and 2007). They ended a three-year losing streak at Paul Brown Stadium last season when they routed Cincinnati, 34-3. The atmosphere shouldn't be too daunting since the Bengals needed an extension to sell out the game. Cincinnati is 2-2 at home this season, losing to the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. The Bengals are coming off their bye, but that hasn't been an advantage for Cincinnati lately. They have lost their past six games following a bye. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: The Bengals beat the Ravens last month because they wanted it more. This time, the Ravens are the hungrier team. The Ravens will play with the same intensity as last week and make the AFC North race much more interesting.
RAVENS, 27-17.
Ravens pass offense vs. Bengals pass defense: Joe Flacco is averaging 264 yards passing, which is 10th best in the NFL. The Bengals allow 253 yards passing, which is the third-worst average in the league. Since throwing a season-high two interceptions against Cincinnati, Flacco has gone 54 passes without throwing a pick. The Bengals have six interceptions in their past three games. Cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph both have three interceptions. Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason will be motivated after not catching a pass against Cincinnati last month. He has four touchdowns in his past five games. The Bengals' top pass rusher, Antwan Odom, is out for the season with an Achilles' injury. Edge: RAVENS
Bengals run offense vs. Ravens run defense: Haloti Ngata is questionable with a sprained ankle, but the Ravens defensive tackle expects to play. That would be a big boost for the Ravens' run defense, which is going against the NFL's second-leading rusher in Cedric Benson (102.9 yards per game). After rushing for 189 yards against Chicago last Sunday, Benson has six 100-yard games in 17 starts with Cincinnati. The Ravens gave up 120 yards to Benson last month, but they haven't allowed 100 yards to a running back in consecutive meetings since Miami's Ricky Williams in 2002-03. Edge: EVEN
Bengals pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: Carson Palmer has been one of the most successful quarterbacks against the Ravens. He has a 7-3 record, throwing 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions (career quarterback rating of 87.3). The key to stopping Palmer is pressure. When defenses have rushed four players this season, he has a 97.6 quarterback rating. When teams rush five or more, his rating drops to 73. Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has also hurt the Ravens, averaging 4.8 catches and 73.5 yards receiving in 17 career meetings. The Ravens' Terrell Suggs will face left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has allowed only one sack this season. Ravens safety Ed Reed has scored three career touchdowns against the Bengals. Edge: BENGALS
Special teams: Rookie Lardarius Webb provided a much-needed spark to the Ravens' kickoff return game with a 95-yard touchdown last Sunday. He ranks third in the NFL with a 30.3-yard average. The Bengals rank 18th in kickoff coverage. Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka rebounded to make three field goals last game. Cincinnati's Shayne Graham has struggled this season, going 6-for-9 (including 4-for-6 inside 40 yards). Both punters rank in the bottom half of the NFL in net average. Edge: RAVENS
Intangibles: The Ravens know a loss would significantly hurt their chances of winning the AFC North. They trail the Bengals and Steelers by one game in the division, and have only been swept by the Bengals three times in their 13-year existence (1996, 2005 and 2007). They ended a three-year losing streak at Paul Brown Stadium last season when they routed Cincinnati, 34-3. The atmosphere shouldn't be too daunting since the Bengals needed an extension to sell out the game. Cincinnati is 2-2 at home this season, losing to the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. The Bengals are coming off their bye, but that hasn't been an advantage for Cincinnati lately. They have lost their past six games following a bye. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: The Bengals beat the Ravens last month because they wanted it more. This time, the Ravens are the hungrier team. The Ravens will play with the same intensity as last week and make the AFC North race much more interesting.
RAVENS, 27-17.
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