Rice bowls the Ravens right to a Division Title

Ray Rice told everyone that the Ravens have been to the playoffs only to fall short for the past three years. He said that something needed to change. That something, playing at home. On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-16 and clinched the AFC North division and a first round bye.

This is the Ravens first division title and first round since the 2006 season where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 15-6 at home. Rice, who was very outspoken on trying to gain the home playoff game for the fans of Baltimore had another career day rushing for 191 yards with two touchdowns. He average eight yards per carry.

The bye week for the Ravens allows veterans such as Anquan Boldin and Ray Lewis to nurse their injuries. Lewis was very instrumental in this win with seven tackles. However, John Harbaugh believes that Terrell Suggs sealed the deal for his quest of defensive player of the year. Suggs finished the game with six tackles and one sack. Suggs finished the 2011 season with 64 tackles and 13 sacks.

Ravens Offense Balance the Bengals

"The Ravens need to run the ball more if they plan to win football games" was the common theme around the city of Baltimore. Fans were not the only ones who felt this way, as players addressed their concern with the playcalling also. Sunday, Ray Rice carried the ball 20 times rushing for 105 yards averaging 5.2 yards per carry with two touchdowns as the Ravens (7-3) defeated the Cincinatti Bengals (6-4) 31-24.

This was an important game for the Ravens. After losing to Seattle, fans began to question whether or not they are really a Super Bowl contender. With this being a division game, a loss would knock the Ravens not only out of first place, but out the immediate playoff picture. With this win, the Ravens are in first place in the AFC and right now control their own destiny to have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Joe Flacco, who was not asked to throw the ball 50 times, had an impressive performance as well. Flacco was 17/27 with 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. For years Baltimore has lacked a big play offense. Both of Flacco's touchdowns came off of huge plays, one to Anquan Boldin for 35 yards and the other to Torrey Smith for 38 yards. Smith also caught a 28 yard pass in which Bengals defensive back Adam Jones tackled him by his dreadlocks. Without that tackle, Smith may have scored a touchdown.

This game was clearly won by the offense simply outscoring the opposition. While the defense allowed 483 yards, the pass rusher was able to rattle the rookie, Andy Dalton in the most crucial part of the game. With the Ravens defense causing a turnover on downs with under two minutes left, the offense was able to go back on the field and excute what John Gruden calls the best play in football, the quarterback kneel.

The Ravens have a very short week as they prepare to take on coach John Harbaugh's brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers (8-1).  The 49ers who have been rolling this season look tro establish themselves as one of the most elite teams in the NFL, but the task will be tough traveling from the west coast to take on the Ravens in M&T bank stadium where they have been 5-0 this season.