This division rivalry has huge playoff implications in this weekend's final week of the 2011 regular season. The Ravens hold the overall series lead with a slim 17-14 margin that includes a win on Nov. 20 in Baltimore.
Nine times in the 15-year history of this rivalry one of the teams have swept the season series. The Bengals did so in 1996, 2005, 2007, and 2009 while the Ravens took both games in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2008.
Nov. 3, 1996. The Bengals squeaked out a 24-21 win over the Ravens when kicker Doug Pelfrey booted a pair of field goals in the game's final 1 minute, 49 seconds. He nailed the game-winner from 34 yards out as time expired.
Cincinnati scored the last four times they had the football. Leading the way for Baltimore was wide receiver Floyd Turner who had six catches for 104 yards.
Ravens: There are no long-time members of the Ravens enshrined. Also spent minor portion of their career with Ravens: Deion Sanders (2004-05), Shannon Sharpe (2000-01), Rod Woodson (1998-2001).
Bengals: Anthony Muñoz (1980-1992). Also spent minor portion of their career with Bengals: Charlie Joiner (1972-75).
Ravens. Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick guided the team to a Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants. The vest he wore in the game was donated to the Hall of Fame shortly thereafter. See Billick's vest>>>
Bengals. It did not take long for running back Corey Dillon to add his name to the NFL record book. In his first season he broke the long-standing rookie record for rushing yards in a game held by Jim Brown. Then, in 2000, Dillon rushed for 278 yards in a game against the Denver Broncos to surpass the single-game rushing total held by Walter Payton. He held the record until it was broken by the Ravens' Jamal Lewis in 2003. See the jersey and shoes Dillon wore that record-setting day>>>
The Bengals have won five games in their history without having scored a touchdown. The last two times that has occurred came against the Ravens. On Nov. 11, 2007, Shayne Graham kicked seven fields in a 21-7 win (see "If Twitter was around in …" below). Most recently Mike Nugent had five field goals as the Bengals beat the Ravens 15-10 on Sept. 19, 2010.
Ravens. The Ravens' defense, who rank third in points allowed through the first 16 weeks of this season, are not likely to blow a huge lead on Sunday afternoon. But it is worth noting that among the largest leads ever lost by the Ravens came against the Bengals. Baltimore blew an 18-point lead in their first meeting against Cincinnati in 1996 and then watched as their 20-3 lead evaporated against the Bengals in a game in 2004.
Bengals. The Bengals head into the season finale with the fifth best run defense in the NFL and have only allowed two 100-yard rushers all season with the Ravens' Ray Rice gaining the most against them with 104 yards in Week 11. Therefore, it appears that there won't be a repeat of the Ravens-Bengals game from Nov. 1998 when Priest Holmes (right) ripped them for 227 yards which is the most ever by a Bengals opponent.
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No TDs needed. Graham's 7 FGs provide all the scoring for Bengals in today's 21-7 win over @1WinningDrive. #NFL. |
The Bengals most certainly would have pushed out a tweet like this following Shayne Graham's seven field goal-performance against the Ravens on Nov. 11, 2007. Had he done so a few weeks earlier, Graham would have tied the NFL record for field goals in a game. But, the Titans' Rob Bironas connected on eight field goals in a game on Oct. 22, 2007. Nevertheless, the 21 points Graham scored remains the most by an opponent against Baltimore.
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Quarterback Jeff Blake played six of his 14 NFL seasons in Cincinnati (1994-99). He recorded career highs with 3,822 passing yards and 28 TDs as a member of the Bengals in 1995.
Blake also played one season with the Ravens in 2002. He started the last 10 games of the year and had his best outing of the year in the season finale when he completed 19 of 26 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns for 108.7 passer rating.
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