Playoff Hopes on the Line

Critical AFC North Rematch Awaits in Cincinnati

After two consecutive heartbreaking losses that have left the Baltimore Ravens teetering on the edge of playoff elimination, Sunday’s road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals represents exactly what the Ravens need: a must-win game against a motivated division rival with nothing to lose.

The Ravens (6-7) travel to Paycor Stadium to face the Bengals (4-9) in a 1:00 PM ET kickoff on CBS. While Cincinnati has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they handed Baltimore one of their most embarrassing defeats of the season just two weeks ago—a 32-14 Thanksgiving Night drubbing that featured five Ravens turnovers.

Now, with their season hanging in the balance, can Lamar Jackson and company right the ship? Or will the Bengals complete their first season sweep of Baltimore since 2021?

Where the Ravens Stand

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Baltimore’s situation is precarious.

Current AFC North Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6 (first place)
2. Baltimore Ravens: 6-7 (second place, 1 game back)
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-9 (eliminated)
4. Cleveland Browns: 3-10 (eliminated)

At 6-7, the Ravens have lost control of their own destiny in the division race. However, mathematically, they still have a path: win out and they win the AFC North, regardless of what the Steelers do with their remaining games.

The problem? Baltimore’s remaining schedule is brutal:

• Week 15 (Dec. 14): @ Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 16 (Dec. 21): vs. New England Patriots (home)
• Week 17 (Dec. 29): @ Green Bay Packers
• Week 18 (Jan. 5): @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Compare that to Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule, which features only one opponent with a winning record (Detroit Lions in Week 16), and you can see why the Ravens need to take care of business—starting Sunday in Cincinnati.

The Thanksgiving Nightmare

Two weeks ago on Thanksgiving Night, the Bengals delivered a statement performance in Baltimore, dominating the Ravens 32-14 in a game that exposed every one of Baltimore’s weaknesses.

The Ugly Stats from Thanksgiving:

• 5 total turnovers by Ravens (2 Jackson fumbles, 1 Likely fumble through end zone, 1 Jackson INT, 1 Flowers fumble)
• Ravens held to just 72 yards of total offense in the first half
• Lamar Jackson: 0 TD passes, extended his streak to 4 games without a passing TD
• Bengals controlled time of possession and tempo
• Baltimore’s offense looked completely out of sync

It was Baltimore’s worst offensive performance of the season, and it came at home in primetime—exactly the stage where John Harbaugh’s teams typically excel (22-4 record in home primetime games under Harbaugh, best in NFL).

Joe Burrow, returning from a lengthy toe injury, picked apart the Ravens’ defense with surgical precision. Ja’Marr Chase continued his dominance against Baltimore, adding to his career totals against the Ravens (21 catches, 457 yards, 5 TDs in two 2024 games).

The question now: Was Thanksgiving an aberration caused by five turnovers, or does Cincinnati simply have Baltimore’s number this season?

What’s Changed Since Thanksgiving?

For Baltimore:

The Good:

• The Ravens dominated Pittsburgh physically in Sunday’s game, outrushing the Steelers 217-34
• Derrick Henry continues to produce (94 yards vs PIT, 1,025 yards on season)
• The defense played well enough to win, holding Pittsburgh to just 34 rushing yards

The Bad:

• Lost anyway, 27-22, on controversial calls and poor execution
• Lamar Jackson still hasn’t thrown a TD pass in five games
• Red zone efficiency remains a problem (3-for-5 vs PIT)
• Fourth-quarter execution has been shaky

The Concerning:

• Jackson’s frustration level is “through the roof” (his words)
• The team has lost two straight after winning five in a row
• Playoff margin for error has evaporated
• Offensive identity seems muddled

For Cincinnati:

The Reality:

• At 4-9, the Bengals have nothing to lose and everything to gain
• Joe Burrow looks healthy and is throwing the ball well
• Ja’Marr Chase (1,015 receiving yards) is one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers
• The defense is historically bad (allowing 31.8 PPG, worst in NFL)

The Motivation:

• A win would give Cincinnati its first season sweep of Baltimore since 2021
• Spoiling the Ravens’ playoff hopes would be enormously satisfying
• Playing for pride and evaluation of young players
• Burrow vs. Jackson always brings out the best in both QBs

The Matchup Breakdown

Ravens Offense vs. Bengals Defense

Key Question: Can Baltimore protect the football?

The Bengals’ defense is giving up 410.5 total yards per game (32nd in NFL) and allowing 31.8 points per game (also 32nd). By every statistical measure, Cincinnati has the worst defense in football.

This should be a get-right game for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense. But that was the narrative on Thanksgiving, too, and we saw how that turned out.

Keys for Baltimore:

1. Ball security above all else – Five turnovers killed them on Thanksgiving; clean that up and they should score 30+
2. Establish Derrick Henry early – Cincinnati allows 155.5 rushing yards per game (29th in NFL)
3. Get Jackson throwing with rhythm – He needs to break his TD pass drought and rebuild confidence
4. Red zone efficiency – Settling for field goals won’t cut it against Burrow’s offense

Stat to Watch: Lamar Jackson is 10-1 as a starter against the Bengals in his career. His only loss? The 32-14 Thanksgiving disaster. He’s thrown for 237+ yards in each of his last five games against Cincinnati.

Ravens Defense vs. Bengals Offense

Key Question: Can Baltimore contain Ja’Marr Chase?

Chase has tormented the Ravens throughout his career, and this season is no different (1,015 receiving yards, 5 TDs). Joe Burrow loves targeting him against Baltimore’s secondary, and the connection between those two is one of the most dangerous in the NFL.

Keys for Baltimore:

1. Bracket coverage on Chase – Can’t let him beat you deep repeatedly
2. Pressure Burrow – Force him into quick decisions and uncomfortable throws
3. Stop Chase Brown – Bengals’ running back has been productive (727 yards, 3 TDs)
4. Force turnovers – Cincinnati will make mistakes if you pressure them

Stat to Watch: Chase Brown has recorded 91+ rushing and receiving yards in seven of the Bengals’ last eight home games against AFC opponents. Stopping both Chase and Brown will be essential.

The Betting Perspective

Current Lines (as of Thursday):

• Spread: Ravens -2.5
• Over/Under: 51.5 to 52.5
• Moneyline: Ravens -135, Bengals +114

The line opened at Ravens -2.5 and has stayed remarkably steady. Vegas sees this as essentially a pick’em game, which makes sense given:

• Ravens’ recent struggles (0-2 in last two games)
• Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving dominance over Baltimore
• Bengals playing spoiler with nothing to lose
• Frigid weather in Cincinnati (9°F game time temperature)

Betting Trends:

• Ravens have scored first in 11 of their last 12 games as favorites following a home loss
• Ravens have won first half in each of last 8 December games as road favorites
• Each of Ravens’ last 10 games as favorites following a loss have gone OVER
• Bengals have failed to cover spread in 4 of last 5 Sunday games as home underdogs

The over/under is high (51.5-52.5) because both teams have explosive offenses and Cincinnati’s defense is historically porous. However, the bitter cold (9°F) could impact passing games.

Wild Card Factors

Weather

With a game-time temperature of 9 degrees Fahrenheit in Cincinnati, this will be one of the coldest games of the NFL season. Bitter cold affects:

• Ball handling – Fumbles become more likely
• Passing accuracy – Footballs get harder, tougher to grip
• Kicking – Field goals become more difficult
• Player comfort – Cramps, stiff muscles, reduced mobility

Both teams will likely lean heavier on the run game, which favors Baltimore given Derrick Henry’s physical style and Cincinnati’s poor run defense.

Injury Report

Ravens:

• Lamar Jackson (ankle) – Limited practice but expected to play
• Various defensive players dealing with minor injuries

Bengals:

• Tee Higgins (concussion protocol) – Status uncertain
• If Higgins is out, Ravens can focus more attention on Chase

Historical Context

• All-time series: Ravens lead 32-26 in regular season
• Last four meetings: Ravens won all four before Thanksgiving loss
• Lamar Jackson vs. Bengals: 10-1 career record as starter
• Last time Bengals swept Ravens: 2021 season
• Ravens in December as road favorites: 7-1 in last 8 games

What the Ravens Need to Do

For Baltimore to get back on track and keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to execute a simple game plan:

Offensively:

1. Protect the football – Zero turnovers should be the mantra
2. Run the ball 30+ times – Feed Derrick Henry against NFL’s worst defense
3. Get Lamar throwing in rhythm – Short, high-percentage passes to build confidence
4. Score touchdowns in red zone – Can’t settle for field goals

Defensively:

1. Limit Ja’Marr Chase – Keep everything in front, no deep shots
2. Get pressure on Burrow – Don’t let him sit comfortably in pocket
3. Force turnovers – Create short fields for offense
4. Stop the run – Make Bengals one-dimensional

Special Teams:

1. Field position battle – Critical in cold weather
2. No mistakes – Fumbled punts/kicks could be disastrous
3. Make kicks count – Tyler Loop needs to be automatic

The Big Picture

This is a fascinating psychological matchup. The Ravens are desperate, playing for their playoff lives. One more loss likely ends their season. They’re coming off two gut-wrenching defeats and need to prove they can handle adversity.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are playing with house money. They’re eliminated from playoff contention but would love nothing more than to knock Baltimore out. There’s no pressure on Cincinnati, which makes them dangerous. Spoiler teams often play their best football.

Add in the Thanksgiving revenge factor—the Bengals thoroughly embarrassed Baltimore two weeks ago—and you have all the ingredients for a tightly contested, emotionally charged AFC North slugfest.

Our Prediction:

The Ravens are the better team and desperately need this win. If they protect the football and play clean football, they should handle Cincinnati comfortably. The Bengals’ defense is simply too bad to stop a focused Ravens offense.

However, if Baltimore starts sloppy and gives Cincinnati easy points via turnovers, this could get ugly quickly. The Ravens have been their own worst enemy lately.

Final Score Prediction: Ravens 31, Bengals 24

Baltimore gets back on track behind Derrick Henry’s physical running (120+ yards) and Lamar Jackson finally throws his first TD pass in five games. The defense gives up yards but forces two timely turnovers. Ravens cover the -2.5 spread, and the game goes OVER 51.5.

Ravens Fans: Keep the Faith

Ravens fans, we know the last two weeks have been painful. The controversial calls against Pittsburgh, the Thanksgiving disaster, watching the Steelers jump ahead in the standings—it’s all been tough to swallow.

But this team is still talented. Lamar Jackson is still a two-time MVP. Derrick Henry is still one of the NFL’s premier running backs. The defense is still capable of dominating.

Sunday in Cincinnati is a chance to hit the reset button. Win this game, and suddenly it’s 7-7 with three games left and real playoff momentum building. The Patriots at home in Week 16 becomes very winnable. The division is still within reach.

The Ravens’ motto has always been: “Play like a Raven.”

That means physical, tough, disciplined football. That means protecting the football and imposing your will. That means finding ways to win close games.

It’s time for this team to get back to those principles.

Looking Ahead: Home Game in Week 16

While Sunday’s game is on the road, Ravens fans should start thinking about Week 16 (December 21) when Baltimore hosts the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium.

If the Ravens take care of business in Cincinnati, that home game against New England becomes absolutely critical for playoff positioning. The Patriots are beatable, and M&T Bank Stadium should be rocking with holiday season energy.

Park at Harbor Park Garage for Week 16

When the Ravens return home to face the Patriots on December 21st, make sure you’ve got your parking sorted with Harbor Park Garage.

Harbor Park Garage
55 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

Why Choose Harbor Park Garage for Ravens Games:

Perfect Location:

• Just 0.8 miles from M&T Bank Stadium
• 15-minute walk or quick rideshare
• Easy access from I-95, I-395, and I-83

Game Day Rates:

• Competitive rates for all Ravens home games
• Covered parking protects your vehicle in December weather
• Reserve online at harborparkgarage.com

Security & Convenience:

• 24/7 professional staffing
• Video surveillance throughout facility
• Well-lit, safe environment
• Close to Inner Harbor restaurants and bars for pre-game and post-game celebrations

Pre-Game & Post-Game: Harbor Park Garage puts you within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and bars:

• Celebrate at Inner Harbor if Ravens win
• Grab dinner at Power Plant Live (5-minute walk)
• Easy access to Light Rail for direct service to M&T Bank Stadium
• No fighting stadium parking lots or paying premium prices

Don’t let parking stress ruin your game day experience. The Patriots game is during the holiday season—December 21st—when downtown Baltimore will be beautifully decorated and festive. Make a full day of it with great parking, great food, and a great game.

Reserve your spot today at harborparkgarage.com for the December 21st Patriots game!

Final Thoughts

Sunday’s game in Cincinnati is must-win for the Ravens. There’s no sugarcoating it, no moral victories, no “we’ll get ’em next time.” Win and stay alive. Lose and start planning the offseason.

The good news? Baltimore still controls its own destiny. Win out, and they’re AFC North champions regardless of what Pittsburgh does.

The challenge? They have to actually go out and do it.

It starts Sunday at 1:00 PM ET in freezing cold Cincinnati against a Bengals team that embarrassed them two weeks ago.

Game Information:

• Matchup: Baltimore Ravens (6-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
• When: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
• TV: CBS
• Weather: 9°F at kickoff
• Betting Line: Ravens -2.5, O/U 51.5

It’s time for the Ravens to show what they’re made of. Play like Ravens. Protect the football. Dominate the line of scrimmage. Win the game.

The season depends on it.

#RavensFlock #BALvsCIN #AFCNorth #PlayLikeARaven

Follow Harbor Park Garage for all your Baltimore sports parking needs. When the Ravens return home to face the Patriots on December 21st, we’ll have you covered. Reserve online at harborparkgarage.com.