As the 4-9 Cincinnati Bengals prepare for a second showdown in three weeks with the 6-7 Baltimore Ravens this Sunday at Paycor Stadium, there’s more on the line than just pride in a divisional matchup. With the Bengals’ season teetering on the edge and injuries reshaping the offensive rotation, this game could serve as a proving ground for a few key players. Let’s take a closer look at three Bengals who could swing the outcome in Week 15.
Mitchell Tinsley: A Second Chance to Make a First Impression
With Tee Higgins back in concussion protocol and unlikely to suit up, the Bengals’ receiving corps is once again looking for reinforcements. Mitchell Tinsley, the undrafted rookie out of Penn State, is expected to see an uptick in snaps - just like he did when these two teams met on Thanksgiving.
That first opportunity didn’t exactly go as planned. Tinsley was targeted eight times but came down with just two catches and was charged with a pair of drops. It was a rough outing, no doubt, but it’s also the kind of performance that can serve as a wake-up call for a young player trying to carve out a role in a crowded receiver room.
This week, the door swings open again. With Jermaine Burton no longer on the roster and Higgins sidelined, Tinsley has a shot at redemption.
The Ravens’ secondary is physical and opportunistic, but it’s also prone to giving up chunk plays when quarterbacks have time. That means the opportunities will be there - it’s just a matter of whether Tinsley can capitalize and build chemistry with Joe Burrow.
If he can clean up the drops and show more consistency in contested catch situations, he could be a sneaky difference-maker.
Barrett Carter: Under the Spotlight Again
Barrett Carter’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. The linebacker has struggled with consistency, especially when it comes to angles and coverage responsibilities.
While he wasn’t officially credited with a missed tackle in the last meeting with Baltimore, the tape tells a different story. Poor pursuit angles and hesitation in the open field have been a recurring issue - and against a team like the Ravens that thrives on misdirection and tight-window throws to tight ends, that’s a dangerous combination.
Carter is still getting the bulk of the snaps at linebacker, and for now, the Bengals seem committed to letting him play through the growing pains. But make no mistake - this is a critical stretch for him. If he wants to have a future as a starter in this defense, he needs to show improvement in both run fits and pass coverage.
Baltimore’s tight end trio - Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar - presents a unique challenge. All three are capable of exploiting mismatches in the middle of the field, and you can bet the Ravens will test Carter early and often. Whether he can hold his own in space could go a long way in determining how long the Bengals stay competitive in this one.
Mike Gesicki: A Veteran Target in a Youth Movement
With Higgins likely out, the Bengals will be looking for reliable pass-catchers to step up - and Mike Gesicki fits the bill. The veteran tight end hauled in six passes in last week’s loss to Buffalo, and he’s starting to re-establish himself as a go-to option in key situations.
Gesicki’s calling card has always been his ability to win at the catch point. He’s got the hands, the frame, and the body control to be a real threat over the middle, especially on third downs and in the red zone. And in an offense that’s still trying to find its rhythm without Ja’Marr Chase at full strength and Higgins out, Gesicki's presence could be crucial.
The Ravens’ secondary has been solid this season, but their linebackers and safeties have had occasional lapses in coverage against athletic tight ends. That’s where Gesicki comes in. If the Bengals can scheme him into favorable matchups - especially in play-action or seam routes - he has a chance to be one of the most productive players on the field.
Bottom Line: The Bengals are in evaluation mode, but that doesn’t mean they’re mailing it in. Sunday’s game against the Ravens is a chance for young players like Tinsley and Carter to show they belong, and for veterans like Gesicki to remind everyone what they bring to the table. It’s a divisional battle with plenty of subplots - and for a few Bengals, it’s a chance to turn the page on a tough season with something to build on.