The Baltimore Ravens return home to M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday as they get set to host the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens are coming off a disappointing 13-10 loss at the hands of the Cleveland Browns in week six falling to 4-2 on the year, and have dropped from first place in the AFC north to third, just in front of the Bengals. The Bengals who currently sit at 3-2, had a bye last week and hope that the extra rest will help them force the Ravens into an 0-2 record within the competetative AFC North.
The Ravens will once again be without quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday as he continues to heal from an ankle injury. It will be the third straight game Jackson has missed since the injury late in the first half against the Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Tyler Huntley will get the start in place of Jackson, Huntley is 1-1 thus far in his two starts this season. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) has also been ruled out. Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (pectoral) was placed on season ending injury reserve, a massive blow for this Ravens pass rush. Defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) is listed as questionable, while cornerback T.J. Tampa (knee) is listed as doubtful, as he continues to work back after being placed on injury after suffering his injury in week one.
For the Bengals they come in fully health as they have no players listed with an injury designation for Sunday after having their bye last week.
Players to Watch:
Mike Green
Second year athletic edge rusher Mike Green has become an increasingly vital force in Jesse Minter’s rotation along the defensive front. But now with his role set to increase with the season ending injury to fellow outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, Green will have ample opportunity to impress and make an impact on a defense desperate for consistency. Thus far through six weeks, Green has racked up just two sacks, a number both Green and this Ravens defense hopes increased mightily by year’s end.
Green will be tasked with collapsing the pocket and applying direct pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, doing so against a Bengals offensive line that has struggled with speed pass rushers. Green’s ability to set a hard edge against Chase Brown and generate quick penetration on passing downs will be essential to disrupting this Bengals’ offensive rhythm, and limited the Ravens secondary from giving up big plays as they are being asked to cover standout wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Chase Brown
Cincinnati’s lead running back Chase Brown has continued to serve as a dual-threat weapon out of the backfield for quarterback Joe Burrow, and makes him a dangerous threat in a star studded offense. It is easy for Brown to be overlooked in an offense that features two of the best wide receivers in the game, but Brown’s explosive burst both as a runner and as a high-volume receiver out of the backfield makes him a player Jesse Minter and his defense will need to keep a close eye on and slow down.
Through five games Browns has already amassed 24 receptions for 124 yards, while also adding 246 yards on the ground. The Ravens defense will need to have strong linebacker play on Sunday if they wish to slow down Brown, as coverage is likely to be soft in order to limit the Burrow and the Bengals offenses ability to throw the ball down field, especially on third downs. In five career games against the Ravens Brown has averaged 44 yards per game rushing with just over 26 yards receiving per game.
Prediction
It will be a tough ask for the Ravens to win on Sunday with quarterback Lamar Jackson once again out with an ankle injury. It was a disappointing Sunday last week for backup Tyler Huntley as he regressed heavily compared to how he looked as he lead the Ravens to defeating the Atlanta Falcons just two weeks ago. Huntley’s inability to consistently push the ball down field has limited a Ravens offense that relied heavily on big plays in the pass game with Jackson under center. The Ravens have tried to lean more on running back Derrick Henry, but with defenses not fearing a threat in the pass game it has lead to heaver boxes making it difficult for the Ravens to stay ahead on the sticks.
Fortunately for the Ravens the Bengals rank near the bottom half of the league in rush defense giving up 123 rushing yards per game. But with that being said I think it will be hard for the Ravens to do what they did defensively to the Browns to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals. I think Huntley and the Ravens will move the ball more effectively on Sunday, but the Bengals star studded offense will just score too many points for the Ravens to keep up in the end. Bengals win 31-27
Line: Cincinatti -3
Over/Under: 46.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 33-27
Last Meeting: 12/14/25 Baltimore 24-0
