The Ravens face off against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 5.
Here's everything you need to know:
History
The Ravens lead the all-time regular-season series history, 27-25, but the Bengals swept Baltimore last year with two blowouts. The Bengals won the first, 41-17, at M&T Bank Stadium when Ja'Marr Chase posted 201 yards and a touchdown. Cincinnati won the second, against a decimated Ravens roster, 41-21 when Joe Burrow threw for a franchise-high 525 yards and four touchdowns. The year before, the Ravens swept the season series and held the Bengals to six points, total, in the two games.
Stakes
This is an early-season matchup for AFC North supremacy. While the Ravens, Bengals and Browns are tied at 2-2 atop the division through the quarter mark, ultimately, the division could come down to a two-team race between Baltimore and Cincinnati, the defending conference champs. This is an early opportunity to get a leg up in the race and build some confidence. The Ravens are looking to rebound after last week's blown lead against the Bills. The Bengals are riding high on a two-game winning streak.
Key Storylines
How will Baltimore handle Cincinnati's passing game?
The Ravens pass defense has improved, but still ranks last in the league, allowing 315.3 yards per game. The Bengals smoked Baltimore's defense in both games last year, although the Ravens were not full strength in either contest. The Ravens invested a lot in their secondary to change that this year. Will it pay off versus Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins and the rest? Baltimore is tied for the league lead in takeaways (10), and Burrow said this week his top priority is protecting the football.
Will the Ravens finish in the second half?
The Ravens have held big leads in both of their losses this season. The offense hasn't scored enough in the second half and the defense has given up long plays and drives. If the Ravens get out to a lead, all eyes will be on how they execute down the stretch. Cincinnati's offense is too talented to keep down for an entire game, so Baltimore's defense needs to do well responding to some punches.
Will Baltimore win the battles up front?
Burrow has been sacked 16 times this season. Only one quarterback has been dropped more. The Ravens pass rush has yet to get cranked up, but this would be a good week to do so. Bengals running back Joe Mixon has also been held in check on the ground, which has contributed to making Cincinnati's offense unbalanced. The Ravens will look to continue that trend. Conversely, the Ravens are hoping to get left tackle Ronnie Stanley back. What effect will that have on the offense?
Here are the players to watch for the Ravens' Week 5 Sunday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
WR Devin Duvernay
It remains to be seen whether Rashod Bateman (foot) will play. If he doesn't that thrusts Duvernay into the top wide receiver spot. Duvernay has exceeded many fans' expectations so far this season as the Ravens' most consistent wide receiver (13 targets, 12 receptions) and is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns.
TE Mark Andrews
Andrews had a quiet day with two catches for 15 yards against the Bills. That doesn't set well with him. Now he'll have a tough matchup with Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, who is one of the better coverage inside linebackers in the game. If Bateman is hampered or sidelined, the Ravens will need Andrews even more.
CB Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey shadowed Chase last season at M&T Bank Stadium and came out on the losing end, as Chase put up 201 receiving yards, including a game-changing 82-yard touchdown that blew the game open in the third quarter. Chase said this week that he doesn't anticipate Humphrey will be given the exclusive 1-on-1 assignment this time around.
DT Travis Jones
The Bills aren't a run-heavy team, but Cincinnati will look to establish a rushing game in Baltimore that has yet to take off. Mixon has averaged just 56 rushing yards per game so far. Jones will likely get a bigger share of the reps this week than last. He'll also be tasked with getting pressure on Burrow up the middle.
OLB Odafe Oweh
Oweh is coming off his best game yet with a team-high seven tackles, sack and forced fumble. He's hoping for more versus a Bengals offensive line that has given up the second-most sacks in the league. If the Ravens can get some more splash plays from Oweh, it will go a long way in short-circuiting the Bengals' talented offense.
Top Matchup
CB Marcus Peters vs. WR Ja'Marr Chase
The Bengals have three dangerous receivers in Chase, Higgins and Tyler Boyd. While Higgins leads the team in receiving yards, Chase dominates the targets (41). He hasn't had as many big plays yet (11.7 per catch) like last season, but he'll be looking to take the Ravens cornerbacks deep. Chase said he's "excited" to face Peters for the first time.
