Bengals look to get back on track against a known foe

Article by Gordon Dedman

Cincinnati Bengals (8-1) at Arizona Cardinals (7-2)

The game will see Carson Palmer, who spent eight years with the Bengals, facing the not so new kid on the block Andy Dalton, who took over from Palmer when he left Cincinnati under a cloud, failing to turn up for training camp.

There is still acrimony regarding Palmer quitting on the Bengals and this game could become a real gritty battle as the revitalised Cardinals quarterback tries to prove a point.

 

Adding spice to the game is Arizona’s coach Bruce Arians. The former Steelers offensive coordinator posted an 11-5 record last season with the Cardinals. Those eleven wins tied a Cardinals franchise record for the most wins in a season and Arians would love to improve on that record.

The Bengals were unlikely to go through the season unbeaten and this game will show how effective they are in rebounding from last week’s defeat. They have escaped a few close games with wins, but for the first time this season, Dalton did not throw a touchdown pass, contributing to the loss. He will need to be on top of his game if the Bengals are to get back on track.

Arizona has the top ranked offense in the NFL and last week beat division rivals the Seattle Seahawks to take a three game lead over last year’s AFC representative in the Super Bowl. Palmer can use his experience to guide the Cardinals to a win.

 

St. Louis Rams (4-5) at Baltimore Ravens (2-7)

The Rams will be striving to improve their record in the AFC West, while the Ravens will be attempting to restore some pride into their season. In a game that is “Much ado about nothing”, the Rams will want to continue their battle for the playoffs, and that might prove to be the difference.

The season ending injury to Steve Smith has thrown the spotlight onto Kamar Aiken who finds himself as the Ravens primary receiver. His NFL career has been an up and down roller coaster as he was cut six times before joining the Ravens’ practice squad during the 2013 season. Two years later, Aiken finally has the opportunity to make an impression.

The Ravens promoted former Browns running back Terrance West from their practice squad onto their roster while placing their veteran center Jeremy Zuttah on injured reserve. Zuttah will have surgery on a partially-torn pectoral muscle and joins fifteen other Ravens on IR.