Anytime the Ravens face the Bengals, you expect a compelling game.
They are division rivals with great quarterbacks, and both teams entered the season with lofty expectations. The Ravens won the AFC North in 2023, and the Bengals won the division in 2022 and '21.
They face each other twice a year, and as Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith said, "Truth be told, [the Bengals] don't like us, and we don't like them."
Animosity often leads to memorable football. Here are my thoughts on the Ravens heading into Sunday afternoon's game in Cincinnati, all in 50 words or less:
- Defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson (neck/back) practiced fully on Friday and will play against the Ravens, but the Bengals are tied for last in the NFL with five sacks, including three by Hendrickson. If the Bengals don't put heat on Lamar Jackson, he's going to make them pay.
- The Ravens have worked hard to make the screen pass a part of their offensive arsenal, and it has come to fruition. Jackson was 4-of-4 on screen passes in Week 4 for 37 yards. Using screens is another way Baltimore may use to slow down Cincinnati's pass rush.
- In his second year with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has never looked more comfortable pre-snap orchestrating the offense. Monken calls Jackson a "conductor." Despite winning two MVPs, Jackson hasn't reached his ceiling. That's not good news for the Ravens' division rivals.
- Jackson is 8-1 as a starter against the Bengals, and he's done that without Derrick Henry. When Henry played for the Tennessee Titans against Cincinnati last year, he rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown. A Jackson-Henry tandem could be double trouble for Cincinnati.
- Henry needs just 18 yards Sunday to reach 10,000 yards for his career. He'll be the first back to reach that milestone since Marshawn Lynch in 2017. Ezekiel Elliott (8,985) is next among active running backs on the career running list, and he's almost 1,000 yards behind Henry.
- With more teams using multiple backs, it may be a long time until another one reaches 10,000 career yards. Henry's power, durability, and consistency make him a unique player. It's understandable why this milestone is special to him.
- Until Davante Adams is traded, Ravens fans might want to avoid the stress of following rumors about him on social media. It might drive you crazy. But avoiding social media is easier said than done, right?
- Nate Wiggins played 86% of the defensive snaps last week, had the defense's third-highest PFF grade (80.9), and dropped two potential interceptions. Sunday will be Wiggins' first AFC North game, but the rookie cornerback seems more than ready.
- Head Coach John Harbaugh called Wiggins a "very quick learner" on Friday. It wouldn't surprise me to see Joe Burrow challenge Wiggins on Sunday, and I think he wants that smoke. Wiggins is a feisty competitor who's also making an impact in the community.
- It should not be taken for granted that center Tyler Linderbaum has only missed two games since starting from Day 1 as a rookie 2022. He's the glue to Baltimore's offensive line, and his presence is an asset to young linemen like Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele, and Roger Rosengarten.
