The Ravens have every reason to expect a playoff run in 2026, but one recent projection still lands like a slight.
In an article for NFL Spin Zone, Lou Scataglia pegged Baltimore’s best-case scenario as an AFC Championship appearance. That’s a strong outcome for Jesse Minter in his first season as head coach, and it fits the sense that the Ravens have put themselves on a path back to the postseason after adding pieces like Trey Hendrickson.
But the part that really stands out is what Scataglia wrote about Cincinnati. He gave the Bengals a higher ceiling, with a Super Bowl appearance as their best-case finish. From Baltimore’s point of view, that’s a hard one to swallow.
The Ravens can absolutely see a realistic route to the playoffs in 2026, and Minter’s first year could bring plenty of noise if things break right. Still, going all the way through the AFC and into the Super Bowl is a big ask for any first-time head coach, even one walking into a roster with real upside.
The Bengals’ projection is the one that feels more debatable. Yes, they reached the Super Bowl in 2021, and yes, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins give them a dangerous offensive core. But the rest of the picture is far less convincing.
Their offensive line remains a major concern after that disastrous 2021 playoff run, and it’s the kind of issue that has put Burrow in harm’s way far too often. Baltimore knows that story all too well.
The difference, at least from the Ravens’ side, is that they actually made moves to improve theirs. Cincinnati did not.
The defense is another problem waiting to happen. The Bengals made a game-changing trade this offseason for Dexter Lawrence II, and that gives them one Pro Bowl-caliber piece. Beyond that, the group still looks thin, with Dax Hill, Jordan Battle, Myles Murphy and Boye Mafe all mentioned as solid but not enough to erase the depth concerns.
Baltimore, meanwhile, has a much cleaner case for optimism on that side of the ball. Minter’s playcalling is expected to help turn around the defensive issues, and the roster has plenty of talent around him.
On offense, the Ravens may hit some bumps, but Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers give them real firepower. Declan Doyle adds another intriguing layer as a new playcaller.
The Ravens may still need more time, and inexperience on the coaching staff could keep them from reaching The Big Game in 2026. But the idea that Cincinnati has the higher ceiling is tough to buy.
Baltimore had a rough year in Charm City last season and still finished ahead of the Bengals. Now, after attacking the roster and opening the window wider, the Ravens look better positioned than the rest of the AFC North.
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Martins path is especially interesting because the Ravens have veteran options in the mix, including Chidobe Awuzie, who logged a steady role in his first season with the team. If Martin keeps building on the promise he showed in limited work last year, Baltimore could soon have a tougher decision on its hands about how the cornerback rotation should be ordered. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Sees One Reason Ravens Gamble Could Actually Work
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For the Ravens, the more relevant test is how Doyle fits in with a locker room that has already shown a willingness to respond to him. After working through Greg Roman and Todd Monken in recent years, Baltimore players have reportedly taken to Doyles leadership, and Lamar Jackson has already embraced him even after being pushed on the practice field. The bigger question now is whether Doyle can keep that early trust while making the offense his own. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Still Face One Big Lamar Jackson Question This Offseason
A new coaching staff usually brings a fresh offensive identity, and Baltimores version appears headed toward a more aggressive passing approach under coordinator Declan Doyle. That matters for Lamar Jackson, because the Ravens have long been at their best when the offense can create pressure in the air as well as on the ground, and the hope is that a more explosive passing game can help unlock another level for the quarterback and the unit around him.
The catch is that the supporting cast still looks unfinished in a few important spots, especially up front and at receiver, where the depth chart beyond Zay Flowers remains a real question. Baltimore can still do enough in the regular season to keep stacking wins, but the bigger issue is whether these unresolved offensive concerns will hold up when the games tighten and the stakes rise in January. [Read more 🡒]