Ravens @ Bengals predictions

[kevin]

(09-13-2018, 02:09 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Players train all year round now.  It is not like it used to be when players used training camp to get in shape.
As the season progresses players don't get stronger.  Instead they get more worn down.

We will agree to disagree.  I saw these players breathing pretty heavy bent over opening Sunday in their first full game, and there is no way they are ready to play again on Thursday at start of season.  They will get the game played, but substitutes will be huge. Time of possession will be huge.  You could see this on the schedule, opening Sunday and then a Thursday. Players are going to have great fatigue. Maybe not at start of game, but by 4th quarter, fatigue will set in.  Bengals O Line better be able to give the D some time off the field in the first half.  Both teams need to save some gas for the 4th quarter, because this game could go overtime on top of everything, being such a defensive AFC North battle. This game could come down to the team that is huffing and puffing the least in 4th quarter, the team not bent over needing oxygen. Hopefully our O Line will mount some first half drives so our D isn't on the field the whole first half. Baltimore D is tough, but we must eat some first half clock. One Fatigue Factor that helps is Bengals only had to go to Indy Sunday, that's like going to Lexington or Dayton. There is no jet lag for Bengals, which helps in this early Thursday Night game. I'm hoping the no jet lag so far this season and playing at home helps Bengals win and start 2-0. When I saw the schedule of start of Sunday and Thursday, I saw at least Bengals only go to Indy but Baltimore has to fly to Cincy, which is a little in Bengals favor. Plus Bengals play Ravens better in Cincy than they do in Baltimore. 2-0 would be a great start to season. I do think the O Line gets better as season progresses, just not sure how good it will be tonight. Hopefully good enough for 2-0 start.