The Bengals’ Week 7 meeting with the Ravens comes with a few individual battles that could shape the afternoon, but the one drawing the most attention is also the most obvious: Trey Hendrickson against his former team. Even so, ESPN’s Mina Kimes pointed to several other matchups on The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny that could matter just as much.
One of the biggest concerns for Baltimore is how Zay Flowers can be used against Cincinnati’s linebackers. Kimes said Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle could keep targeting that area all game, especially because Flowers has been so productive there this season.
"The other thing I wrote down was how many times can Declan Doyle get Zay Flowers on the Bengals linebackers, Flowers has 177 receiving yards versus linebackers this year which is 51 more than any other wide receiver," Kimes said on Flowers efficiency against linebackers.
That is the spot Kimes sees as the clearest weak point for the Bengals, and she made it clear that Cincinnati has to be careful no matter who is under center for Baltimore.
"I think from the Bengals perspective, regardless of who's playing quarterback, that's [linebacker] so obviously the glaring weakness of this defense, and if you can avoid that in any way you want to do so," Kimes said.
The Ravens’ cornerback group also came under the microscope. Domonique Foxworth said Marlon Humphrey has played like an older corner who is still being leaned on too heavily, while Kimes said she was expecting more from Nate Wiggins in his third year.
"I've been really happy with Wiggins honestly, and Humphrey I think has been what you expect, like he's been better than last year, but I mean he's an older corner, and they're still in a position where they're asking a lot from him which I think is not a place where you want to be," Foxworth said of Baltimore's cornerback duo.
"I thought this would be like another leap year and he's been a little bit up and down," Kimes responded.
Even with both corners showing a decent level of play this season, the matchup still looks favorable for Cincinnati’s passing game. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have combined for 116 catches, 1,701 yards, and 14 touchdowns against the Ravens in their careers. Joe Burrow has also done plenty of damage against Baltimore, completing 65% of his passes for 3,185 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kimes also brought up Burrow’s history against Jesse Minter’s defense from his time earlier in his career. She pointed to Burrow’s 356-yard, three-touchdown game against the Chargers in 2024 and said his work against single-high looks was especially strong. She also wondered whether Minter would change his approach this time around.
"Jesse Minter's defense with LA against Joe Burrow a couple years ago, Joe Burrow went 28 for 50, for 356 yards, and three touchdowns, particularly when they played single high he ripped them apart," Kimes said. "I am curious to see if Minter's learned from that experience, and what he does from a schematic perspective, I think the Bengals offense will have success in this game."
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Bengals Could Be Rethinking Two Key Roles Before Ravens Game
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The timing matters because the Bengals are already weighing how to distribute snaps in the secondary and in the backfield. Jordan Battles struggles have opened the door for more consideration of Dugger, while Bryan Cook is healthy again, and there is also some thought of giving Samaje Perine a larger offensive role with Chase Browns recent performance in view. [Read more 🡒]
Ja'Marr Chase Could Force A Ravens Decision They Didn't Want
JaMarr Chase has already given Baltimore plenty of reasons to think twice about how it wants to defend him. Against the Ravens secondary, the Bengals wideout has piled up 61 catches for 1,036 yards and seven touchdowns in his career, production that puts real pressure on a defense trying to limit explosive plays while still accounting for Cincinnatis passing game.
Marlon Humphrey has made clear he knows how difficult that assignment can be, and the Ravens may need to look elsewhere if they want a different look on Chase. With Joe Burrow stressing how hard it is to win contested throws against Baltimore, the matchup could force the Ravens into a decision they would rather not have to make, one that might send coverage toward Nate Wiggins or Chidobe Awuzie instead. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Get A Huge Ravens Twist At The Worst Possible Time
A new wrinkle landed in the Bengals AFC North race this week, and it comes at a time when every divisional game feels loaded. Cincinnati is getting ready for its upcoming meeting with Baltimore with an eye on climbing the standings, and the Ravens will be forced to adjust their offensive plan after a late change at quarterback.
Baltimore announced it will be without Lamar Jackson because of an ankle injury, leaving Tyler Huntley to step in under center. For the Bengals, the matchup now shifts in a hurry, with the focus turning to how they handle a Ravens team that looks different than the one they expected to see when the schedule first circled this game. [Read more 🡒]