Monday Night Blowout: Ravens Crush Bengals, 44-13

Monday Night Football Ratings Down, But Still Dominant

NFL Power Rankings: Week 2 Brings A New No. 1

Week 2 of SB Nation's power rankings sees a shake-up at the top with the Baltimore Ravens taking over the top spot.

NFL Injury Report: AFC North Week 1 Injuries

Week 1 is in the books, so we'll begin to look forward to Week 2. One of the things to watch is always the injury report, here's a look around the division at who got dinged up in Week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had a few minor injuries, and depth on the offensive line is a bit of a concern now that Trai Essex has signed with the Colts. Marcus Gilbert and Ramon Foster both left the game at points with minor injuries, but other than that, the Steelers came out of this one without any new injuries.

The Steelers did have a few injuries coming into the game, with David DeCastro, Stevenson Sylvester, James Harrison, and Rashard Mendenhall all missing the first game due to injury. Ryan Clark also missed the contest after he was found to be carrying the sickle cell trait.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns made it out of Week 1 without much in the way of injury, but the team did note that Sheldon Brown had suffered a stinger. Stingers are not usually too serious, but at this point it's unclear if he's in any jeopardy of missing out on Week 2.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore had a key player leave the game Monday night, as Ed Reed had to leave with a strained hamstring. He didn't return, but also didn't seem too concerned about it after the game. Corey Graham and Pernell McPhee also suffered minor injuries during the game, but neither looks set to miss any time.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals escaped Monday's game without much to report in the way of injury. Both George Iloka and Domata Peko came out for a few plays, but both returned to the game. They did have both Carlos Dunlop and Bernard Scott miss the game with injury.

For more on the Ravens, check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more on the Steelers, check out Behind the Steel Curtain. For more on the Browns, check out Dawgs by Nature. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle.

Bengals Vs. Ravens, Week 1: Vintage Ray Lewis Key In Baltimore Blowout

The Baltimore Ravens' defense is always expected to be one of the best in the league, but Monday night, the Ravens were clicking on both sides of the ball as they destroyed the Cincinnati Bengals, 44-13.

Bruce Raffel of the aptly-named Ravens blog Baltimore Beatdown described the win as "overwhelming and impressive":

The Cincinnati Bengals will probably wake with a bad case of whiplash tomorrow morning after their 44-13 lashing on Monday Night Football. The Bengals had no idea where the ball was headed all night long, as the offense spread the ball around and was led by QB Joe Flacco.

Cincinnati only mustered one touchdown on the evening, something Raffel attributed in part to a vintage performance by Ray Lewis, now 17 years removed from his college career at Miami. The 37-year-old had 11 tackles, including a forced fumble and a sack.

Early in the game, it appeared that Lewis was in on the tackle on virtually every play. He ran sideline-to-sideline making plays and even dropped into coverage on passing plays. The changes he made in his body by dropping weight to gain speed were evident as there was no way he looked like the guy people were saying was on his last legs. No question those same people would love to have this aging veteran on their team right now.

For more news with a Ravens perspective, head over to Baltimore Beatdown.

Bengals Vs. Ravens, Week 1: Cincy Jungle Reacts

The Cincinnati Bengals got off to a rough start against the Baltimore Ravens, losing 44-13 at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday night.

Cincinnati wasn't very competitive throughout the contest, although the game was kept close on the scoreboard until the third quarter. The Bengals were only trailing 17-10 at the break before being outscored 27-3 in the second half.

Over at our Cincinnati blog, Cincy Jungle, Josh Kirkendall summed the ugly night up:

A slice of swiss cheese with peppered holes for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to complete footballs three times the size of regulation. Gaps for trains like Ray Rice to split through the line of scrimmage, carrying conversations with escorting offensive linemen before feeling pressure from late-arriving Bengals defenders. Except for a knee to end the first half, Baltimore scored on four of their first five possessions, with two scoring drives of 80 yards or more and three 60-yard plus.

Despite how badly the Bengals were beaten, it's only one loss for a team that many expect to compete for a playoff spot and maybe even the AFC North crown. One defeat, no matter how lopsided, doesn't change that for a young Cincinnati team.

For more on the Bengals, please be sure to check out our blog Cincy Jungle, our Football Hub and SB Nation for all the latest news and updates.

Joe Flacco, Ravens Beat Up Bengals In 44-13 Blowout

Joe Flacco is really, really good

Bengals defense doesn't look top 10

3 reasons the Ravens won the game

The Ravens' play summed up in one GIF:

The Bengals' play summed up in one GIF:

Ravens Fan Celebrates

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Dalton Face

It's been a rough night for Andy Dalton who has turned it over twice -- one that was returned for a touchdown.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Ed Reed Injury: Ravens Safety Leaves With An Injured Hamstring

The Baltimore Ravens are beating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in their season opener, but suffered a loss when safety Ed Reed was injured in the second half after running back an interception for a touchdown.

Reed dove into the end zone, and was then seen on the sideline trying to stretch out his leg before heading to the locker room. The future Hall-of-Famer appears to have a hamstring injury, with his status for the rest of the game uncertain at this point.

If Reed is out for any amount of time, it would be a serious blow to the Ravens. Without linebacker Terrell Suggs for at least the first six weeks of the season, the Baltimore defense needs all hands on deck.

Reed is the one of the biggest playmakers in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball, proving it once again against Andy Dalton and company.

For more on the Ravens, please be sure to check out our blog Baltimore Beatdown, our Football Hub and SB Nation for all the latest news and updates.

Ed Reed Checks In With A Record-Breaking PIck-6

Ed Reed has taken the Ravens from comfortable lead over the Bengals to blowout time. With the final seconds of the third quarter ticking away, Reed picked off his 58th career pass and took it back 34 yards for the touchdown, the Ravens' second touchdown in a minute.

That pick six also helped him set a new NFL record.

Ed Reed now has 1,497 career interception return yards. That is a new NFL all-time record!

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2012

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Joe Flacco's Floating TD Pass

Joe Flacco doesn't always exhibit the correct mechanics -- see this off-the-back-foot throw here -- but he gets the job done. Midway through the third quarter Flacco has five incomplete passes, 256 yards and two touchdown passes, including this awkward one to Dennis Pitta.

Awkward-looking pass or not, Flacco looks like he's taking a big step this year.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Powers His Way Into The End Zone

Sometimes a free agent signing looks so perfect. The Bengals picked up BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the offseason and one of the primary roles he was expected to fill was a short yardage back and that's what he did on Monday night for the Bengals.

The Bengals faced a 4th-and-1 from the six yard line and Andy Dalton gave the ball to Green-Ellis, hoping to pick up the first down. Instead, the Law Firm barreled his way into the end zone.

Of course we couldn't get through a close call without a little replacement ref fun. One replacement referee ruled it a touchdown. Another one ruled it down at the one. After a brief meeting, it was ruled a touchdown.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Joe Flacco's Bomb To Anquan Boldin Is Awesome But Probably Shouldn't Have Counted

Rank Joe Flacco wherever you want but you can't deny that this is a hell of a throw from the Ravens QB:

Flacco is under pressure, throwing off his back foot. He places the ball in the perfect spot for Boldin, who was able to hold on. Maybe. Replays showed the ball hitting ground and possibly moving, but a review of the play confirmed the touchdown called on the field.

ESPN's referee expert disputed the call on the air, as did Fox's Mike Pereira via Twitter.

I agree with you and with Gerald Austin. I think it should have been overturned. He did not maintain control. The hand came off the ball.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 11, 2012

Fortunately for the Ravens, their opinion doesn't matter right now.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Ray Rice Is Having A Good Time

While his coach is mad, Ray Rice is having a good time.

He's back with the Ravens on a shiny new 5-year contract and he's happy enough to do some high-stepping in the end zone along with the obligatory flex.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Now The Other Harbaugh Is Mad

Hopefully, the NFL at least warned replacement refs about the brothers Harbaugh. After Jim Harbaugh's epic fit on Sunday afternoon, his brother John followed suit in Monday night's game against the Bengals.

Harbaugh mad! Harbaugh smash!

First Play Of The Season Goes Well For The Ravens

So the Ravens season is starting out okay.

On the first play from scrimmage, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw a bullet to Torrey Smith for 52 yards.

A field goal later and the Ravens have their first lead of the season.

The Ravens are a favorite Super Bowl pick by a lot of people, including SB Nation's NFL bloggers. Could their offense actually be better than the defense this year?

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Moment Of Silence For Art Modell At Ravens Game

Former Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell passed away on Sept. 8 and the Ravens honored him with a moment of silence before Monday night's game against the Bengals.

For a Baltimore perspective of the game, check out Baltimore Beatdown. And for more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more highlights.

Bengals Vs. Ravens Inactives: Carlos Dunlap Inactive For Cincinnati

Starting defensive end Carlos Dunlap is inactive for the Bengals as Cincinnati travels to Baltimore to open its season against the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

Dunlap is inactive for Monday night due to a knee injury he suffered during the Bengals' preseason opener. He was initially expected to miss four weeks and did not practice this week. Cincinnati will also be without backup running back Bernard Scott who is missing the game due to a hand injury. Without Scott, new addition BenJarvus Green-Ellis should get plenty of carries against the Ravens.

Sergio Kindle is among the Ravens inactive list which also includes wide receiver LaQuan Williams and defensive tackle Bryan Hall. Undrafted rookie free agents Deonte Thompson and Bobby Rainey are both active for the Ravens. The complete inactive lists for both teams can be found below.

Ravens:

• WR LaQuan Williams
• CB Asa Jackson
• OL Jah Reid
• TE Billy Bajema
• DE Deangelo Tyson
• OLB Sergio Kindle
• DT Bryan Hall

Bengals:

• CB Jason Allen
• CB Dre Kirkpatrick
• RB Bernard Scott
• TE Donald Lee
• WR Ryan Whalen
• TE Richard Quinn
• DE Carlos Dunlap

For more on the Ravens, visit Baltimore Beat Down. For Bengals coverage, head over to Cincy Jungle.

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