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McGahee to make debut as Ravens take on Bengals

Sep 10, 2007 - 10:28 AM Baltimore (13-3) at Cincinnati (8-8) Monday 7:00 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Running back Willis McGahee is the latest addition as the Baltimore Ravens continue to build up an offense to complement their stellar defense.

McGahee takes the spotlight when the Ravens open defense of their AFC North title with a road game against division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

Despite a 13-3 record last season, Baltimore's success primarily was a result of its magnificent defense, which allowed an NFL-low 201 points - 54 fewer than any other team.

A year ago, the Ravens brought in veteran quarterback Steve McNair, helping to revive a stale passing game as they tied the Pittsburgh Steelers for the sixth-most points (353) in the AFC.

Nonetheless, the offensive shortcomings never were more evident than in a 15-6 playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis.

Now the hope is that McGahee will add an explosive dimension to the offense and be a major upgrade over Jamal Lewis, a former 2,000-yard rusher who has averaged 3.6 and 3.4 yards per carry the past two seasons.

Of course, McGahee has averaged under four yards a carry and managed just 11 touchdowns combined the past two seasons after amassing 13 touchdowns in 2004.

The Bengals, meanwhile, have the opposite problem - a high-octane attack that needs to outscore opponents to hide a dreadful defense.

Quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 4,035 yards in 2006 and has one of the league's top receiving tandems in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who combined for 177 receptions last season.

Hard-running Rudi Johnson augments the passing attack, having rattled off three consecutive 12-touchdown, 1,300-plus yard seasons, but it's on the other side of the ball where Cincinnati struggles.

Only four teams in the AFC allowed more points than the Bengals' 331 last season, one reason why cornerback Leon Hall was drafted in the first round.

The teams split their two meetings last season, with the Ravens winning at home, 26-20, and losing at Cincinnati, 13-7.