The AFC ‘s road to the Super Bowl goes through Kansas City.
After that, there’s a short list of worthy contenders. Two of the teams on that short list play each other twice (or as we saw last year, three times) a season.
In the five seasons since 2018, both the Ravens and Bengals have won two AFC North titles. This year seems like the crescendo, as both teams are peaking and built to win now. Here’s how the 2023 versions currently shape up.
Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2, Cincinnati, 1:00 pm ET
Week 11, Baltimore, 8:15 pm ET (Prime Video)
2022 record: 12-4 (.750)
Ravens record against them since 2018: (6-5, 251-241 total score)
Key returning players: QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja’Marr Chase, DE Sam Hubbard
Key draft picks: S Jordan Battle (Round 3, Pick 32), RB Chase Brown (Round 5, Pick 129)
Film clips (10/9/2022):
- :20-:53 – Duvernay gashes Cincy early, gains 33 yards on three touches
- 2:16-2:25 – Bynes breaks through for a sack to force 3rd and long
- 3:30-3:41 – Peters misses tackle, gives up 23 yards after the catch
- 6:09-6:19 – Lamar misses a WIDE OPEN Wallace
Analysis:
The Bengals are about as dangerous a team as there is in the league. They have a superstar quarterback, elite skill position players, stud edge defenders, and a young and fearless head coach. Furthermore, they’ve been to a Super Bowl recently, so they have the required self-confidence that they can win it all.
Speaking of the Chiefs, the Bengals were able to sign their Super Bowl-winning left tackle, Orlando Brown, Jr., in free agency, helping out an offensive line that sorely needed it. As good as Burrow is, the last thing Bengals fans want to see is him having to improvise. If he wants to, fine, but they’d rather not he do it by necessity.
One spot in which the Bengals are lacking is their secondary. Two of their seven selections this year were made on secondary players. In 2022, Cincinnati’s pass defense was a mixed bag, as they allowed the lowest combined completion percentage (58.9%), but their overall pass defense finished ranked 16th in yards allowed (3,665). Adding a pro-ready Jordan Battle (Alabama) will help very much, as the scheme he comes from is quite versatile. He’s smart and he’s a hitter—two traits that play very well in the AFC North.
From the Ravens standpoint, this rivalry is going to be close no matter where or when the game is played. In last year’s season finale, the Ravens were within 11 points of the Bengals with 12 minutes to play. While that’s normally an unremarkable statement, consider how the Bengals played their starters and the Ravens were down to, in many cases, their 3rd string. Baltimore outgained Cincinnati by over 100 yards, but also committed four turnovers. In other words, it wasn’t exactly an “apples to apples” evaluation.
No matter where you look between these two teams, you’re not likely to find much difference. Especially with Lamar Jackson’s future secure, this rivalry has the chance to be the best in football. It’s that close and that dynamic.
When games involve such similarly built teams and such intensity, the difference is often seen in mental focus and composure. Whichever team maintains poise is most likely to win.
The x-factor that is Lamar Jackson is so valuable for many reasons. One of those reasons is the “frustration factor.” When you work and prepare all week to stop a play or formation, see that exact play or formation in the game, and still can’t stop it, that’s very discouraging. How many times have we seen a defender be face to face with Jackson, just to blink and be left with nothing but a view of the back of his jersey?
Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard will have a lot to say on how effective Jackson is against the Bengals this year. On 10/24/21, Hubbard recorded 2 1/2 sacks, but has zero sacks in the four games since. He’s not the fastest edge rusher, but he’s strong, athletic, smart, and reliable. If Jackson can break contain against Hubbard, I can almost guarantee the Bengals won’t be able to deal with the Ravens offense.
That’s the first key to victory for the Ravens: breaking the Bengals containment. The second key: Can Baltimore exploit Cincinnati’s secondary? Well, if they can’t beat that inconsistent unit with the likes of Odell Beckham, Jr., Zay Flowers, Devin Duvernay, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman, I don’t know if they deserve to win. Plays will be there, but again, it comes down to mental focus.
Most years, the Ravens host the Bengals before November and end their season in Cincinnati. This year, however, they travel to the Bengals in Week 2 and then host them in Week 11 in primetime. In three games against each other last year, the Bengals were 2-1 against the Ravens with a plus-16 point differential. Neither of these teams will be able to make a genuine claim to the world championship this February if they don’t display dominance against their immediate contenders.
The good news: the next installment of this rivalry will take place in Week 2. We won’t have to wait long to see where these teams stand.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.