Ravens/Bengals, AFC North, Week 2 Locks, Upsets, and Marquee Matchups.

The first official thursday night matchup (thank god football is back where it belongs: during the work week, now featuring the venerable one, Joe Buck), had the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Cincinatti for what was expected to be a typical 60 minute AFC north brawl, with a close score the whole way. The spread was less than a point either way, after all. The final result spoke truth to this. However this divisional primetime affair started very differently from what most expected. The Bengals came out swinging and backed the Ravens, who had just steamrolled Buffalo 5 days prior, in to a corner early, scoring 21 points on three touchdown drives in the first 17 minutes, each terminating in Andy Dalton touchdown tosses to AJ Green. Part of the Ravens first half defensive struggles could be blammed on an early injury to star linebacker C.J Mosley, although an unbalanced offensive attack and an offensive line featuring 3 turnstyles quickly allowing defensive pressure to flush Joe Flacco out of the pocket was no help. The Ravens did manage to muster two touchdown drives of their own in the 2nd quarter, bringing themselves to a reasonable 14 point halftime deficit, given the horrid start for Baltimore. The second half saw momentum stay mostly in Baltimore’s favor as they held Cincinatti’s better than expected offense out of the endzone. Baltimore could not get out their own way for much of this game, committing key penalties and turnovers, questionably trying to convert a 4th down from basically midfield, and whatever sorry excuse for clock management the team displayed in the final 2 minutes and change. Everyone knew each matchup for this Ravens team would not look like what happened to Buffalo in week one. Despite a very slow start, the Ravens did show an ability to tighten up and claw back into the game, an important trait for any team with playoff aspirations. Its not time to ring the alarm bells yet in Baltimore, with matchups with Denver, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Tennessee, the Ravens will likely be able to right the ship. Cincinnati has thus far appeared to be a better football team than most of us thought. Joe Mixon, who was very impressive last night, appears to be emerging as an every down back. Andy Dalton has seemed on his game thus far, however i think it’s a bit premature to officially declare the Bengals a contender. The AFC north remains a bit hazy, Pittsburgh’s showing this weekend against the high flying but perennially underachieving Chiefs will help shape the division landscape a bit more.

MY WEEK 2 LOCKS:

• Chargers will appear significantly closer to their high expectations against what may be the worst team in the league, Buffalo

• Saints rebound after shocking loss against the Browns, not much else to say here, its Drew Brees and its Cleveland.

WEEK 2 UPSET WATCH

• Fitzmagic (yeah, i said it) and the Bucs over an Eagles team that was a bit underwhelming in their opener against Atlanta (yeah, i said it again)

BEST MATCHUPS

• Tom Brady and the Patriots traveling to Jacksonville for an AFC Championship rematch should be a fantastic game. It’s hard to bet against the Pats, i wouldnt recommend it.

• The Vikings traveling to Green Bay, featuring perhaps the most complete roster in the NFL, and Kirk Cousins, as they try and establish NFC North dominance over Aaron Rodgers. Gotta beat the king to be the king, and this king has long proved he is no easy out.

• Kansas City and Pittsburgh will answer questions about eachother, a Loss for Pittsburgh would change the entire AFC narrative this season as the Chiefs try and prove their legitimacy by passing a major road test. Heinz is a hard place to get a win, and i really cant say how i feel this one is gonna go.

• Sunday Night’s Matchup featuring the Giants and Cowboys, is NOT an interesting matchup, and i felt it important to point out. Both teams are mediocre until they prove us other wise. Neither team looked particularly great last weekend. The Cowboys offense looked absolutely abhorrent while the Giants looked about as “okay not great not awful just the Giants” as they possibly could. The Eagles ARE better than these two, and the Redskins LOOKED better than these two. Thankfully, the federal mandate that this matchup must be on National television both times each fall isnt going anywhere.

Enjoy week 2!

@plsorioles