The Baltimore Ravens come into Week 6 as heavy favorites over the 0-5 Cincinnati Bengals. But anyone looking at this AFC North matchup and expecting an automatic win is in for disappointment. But don’t count Baltimore among those discounting Cincinnati this week.
Having been in charge of the Ravens for 12 seasons now, coach John Harbaugh knows the challenges any AFC North team brings. But Cincinnati, in specific, has been a headache for Baltimore over the last few years.
The Ravens have gone 4-8 over the last six years against the Bengals, being outscored 240-280 along the way. Baltimore has struggled to cover their pass catchers, often seeing A.J. Green create havoc. While Green is expected to miss this game as he comes back from an ankle injury, players like Tyler Boyd and Tyler Eifert have created their own problems.
Cincinnati’s offense has struggled at times this season. Entering Week 6, the Bengals’ offense ranks 26th in total yards. But the passing attack has managed to be productive in the face of so much turmoil elsewhere. Green hasn’t played a game yet this season and John Ross was placed on injured reserve. The offensive line has been a sieve, allowing quarterback Andy Dalton to be sacked 20 times through five games. Yet, Cincinnati ranks ninth in passing yards.
With a struggling secondary, the Ravens are the perfect opponent for the Bengals to get back on track if Baltimore isn’t careful. Defensive coordinator Don Martindale isn’t overlooking Cincinnati’s offense, regardless of their status.
The Ravens are saying all the right things ahead of this matchup. But with the Seattle Seahawks up next on the docket, this is the exact type of game Baltimore has often failed to show up in. If the Ravens are truly a disciplined team on the road to the playoffs, they’ll handle their business this week.
