There have been small signs of improvement, but the team is still struggling to make big plays and sustain drives consistently. That quarterback Joe Flacco didn't turn the ball over last week against the Dallas Cowboys and was sacked only once qualifies as progress. Flacco has struggled against the Bengals, with 19 interceptions in 15 games. The Ravens want to get wide receiver Breshad Perriman involved after he was shut out against the Cowboys.

It's getting closer to a 50-50 split in carries between Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. West had eight carries to Dixon's six last week, and West played only two more snaps than the rookie. Dixon is coming on, and coach John Harbaugh has voiced a desire to get him the ball more. The Ravens have talked about sticking to the run this week against a team that struggles to stop it, but we've heard that vow plenty of times before.

The Ravens were overwhelmed in the second half by the Cowboys, but their run defense has maintained its No.?1 ranking in the NFL. Despite giving up 118 rushing yards, the Ravens lead the league, allowing just 76.0 per game. They've also given up a league-low four touchdowns on the ground and have gone three straight games without giving up a touchdown to a running back. Zachary Orr is 10th in the NFL with 88 tackles.

The Ravens don't have Green to worry about today, but they have other problems that the Cowboys exposed and that need to be fixed. The pass rush comes and goes too quickly, and the Ravens aren't getting much off the edge from anybody but Terrell Suggs. Elvis Dumervil could eventually change that. The Ravens also have struggled in coverage except for Jimmy Smith. They especially have to tighten up in the middle of the field. Still, they rank seventh against the pass.

Not a whole lot has changed here. Kicker Justin Tucker still hasn't missed, making 30 consecutive attempts dating to last year. Punter Sam Koch is having a solid season, and return man Devin Hester Sr. continues to make questionable decisions fielding punts. The Ravens rank 30th in the league, averaging 6.0 yards per punt return. It might be time for Tucker to do more pop-up kickoffs rather than just going for touchbacks and giving up the 25-yard line.

The Ravens clearly aren't in denial about the Bengals having their number. Players brought it up, acknowledging that it's a concern. Now, it's up to them to do something about it. Until the Ravens stop committing so many penalties, it's going to be tough for them to develop offensive momentum. Only the Oakland Raiders have been flagged more often than they have. The Ravens have to regain their home dominance if they're going to win their division.

Andy Dalton has gotten the best of the Ravens defense in recent years, but he faces them without star wide receiver A.J. Green and versatile running back Giovani Bernard. Those players account for more than 40 percent of his targets. Dalton clearly misses former offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, along with receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. He has been sacked 29 times, third most in the league. Tight end Tyler Eifert remains a matchup nightmare.

With Bernard out for the season, Jeremy Hill will carry more of the load. He's averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has six rushing touchdowns. He also has yet to fumble; he did it eight times in his first two NFL seasons. Bernard's absence should lead to a bigger role for Rex Burkhead. Dalton has given the Ravens trouble with his legs, with four rushing touchdowns in nine career matchups. The Bengals don't often deviate from the run.

Uncharacteristically for a Marvin Lewis defense, the Bengals have had problems stopping the run. They're allowing 123.4 yards per game, the fifth most in the NFL. Their eight rushing scores allowed equal the number they gave up in 16 games last year. Their front-seven personnel remain mostly the same, though veteran newcomer Karlos Dansby is the team's leading tackler. Vontaze Burfict is the one the Ravens will have to find and block.

The Bengals secondary and pass rush have given the Ravens fits over the years. Safety Reggie Nelson is gone from the defensive back group, but plenty of talent remains. Cornerback Adam Jones could draw the assignment of Steve Smith Sr., which would make for a volatile matchup. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins stuffs the run and gets after the quarterback, and is probably Cincinnati's best defensive player. The Bengals are allowing 248.7 passing yards per game.

Like the Ravens, Cincinnati has a veteran battery: kicker Mike Nugent, punter Kevin Huber and long snapper Clark Harris. Nugent, however, could be kicking for his job. He missed two extra-point attempts in last week's 16-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills. This season, he's missed three extra-point tries and five field-goal attempts. The Bengals have been solid in coverage, and rookie Alex Erickson has done good things on returns.

Cincinnati has qualified for the postseason in five straight years, but with a 3-6-1 record, the Bengals might have to win out to return. The odds aren't good, especially with Green and Bernard, possibly their two most explosive offensive players, hurt. The Bengals are 1-4 on the road this season. Lewis always has his team primed to beat the Ravens. They have done it five straight times and seem to have the formula down pat.