The Baltimore Ravens are 6-7 heading into Week 15, and if they’re going to sneak into the playoffs, they’ll have to earn every inch of it. The final four games on their schedule are anything but a cakewalk, and it all starts with a rematch that’s as personal as it is pivotal: a road trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals - the same Bengals team that handed them a humbling 32-14 loss just two weeks ago.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: that game at M&T Bank Stadium wasn’t close. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense had their way with the Ravens defense, picking apart coverages and controlling the tempo from start to finish. Now, Baltimore heads into Paycor Stadium for what promises to be a classic AFC North slugfest - one with major playoff and division implications.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco made headlines this week with a bold prediction: Ravens 30, Bengals 24. That’s a surprising call, not just because of how the last matchup played out, but because of how this Ravens offense has looked lately.
Prisco’s logic? While Baltimore’s defense may still be struggling, the offense is due for a bounce-back - and this could be the week it happens.
That’s a big “if,” considering the numbers. Since Week 3, the Ravens have scored 30 or more points just once.
That early-season offensive burst - where they hit the 30-point mark in each of their first three games - feels like a distant memory. Lately, it’s been a grind.
The run game hasn’t had the same punch, the passing attack has lacked rhythm, and the red zone trips haven’t turned into touchdowns nearly enough.
So what would need to change for Baltimore to hit 30 on the road against a divisional rival that just beat them soundly? For starters, Lamar Jackson would have to be at his best - not just as a playmaker, but as a leader who can elevate the offense in a high-pressure moment. This is the kind of game that defines MVP candidates, and if Jackson is going to reinsert himself into that conversation, this is the stage to do it.
The Ravens also need more from their offensive line, which has been inconsistent in both pass protection and run blocking. Giving Lamar time - and opening lanes for the ground game - would go a long way toward keeping Burrow and the Bengals offense off the field.
Defensively, Baltimore has to find answers. The secondary was exposed in the last meeting, and the pass rush didn’t do nearly enough to disrupt Burrow’s timing. If the Ravens can’t generate pressure or tighten up their coverage schemes, it’s going to be another long afternoon.
Still, this is the NFL - and things can flip fast. The Ravens have been inconsistent, yes, but they’ve also shown flashes of being a dangerous team when they’re clicking. With the season hanging in the balance and the AFC North race still within reach, this is a moment for Baltimore to prove they’re more than just a middle-of-the-pack team.
If they can go into Cincinnati and come out with a win, it won’t just be about revenge - it’ll be a statement. And it might just be the spark they need to make a late-season push.