Causes for concern as Ravens face Bengals in Week 5
Seeking their third straight win, the Ravens (2-2) will play their first AFC North game on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) at Paycor Stadium.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at three causes for concern.
Bengals rushing attack is improved
Sep 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) runs for yards after catch during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Baltimore’s rushing attack gets all the publicity, but the Bengals are versatile. Cincinnati logged a season-high 141 yards on the ground in Week 4 at Carolina, which featured a career-high 80 from second-year back Chase Brown and 51 from Zack Moss. Brown and Moss each carried the ball 15 times, becoming the first Bengals teammates to log 15+ rushing attempts in the same game since Jeremy Hill (25 carries) and Giovani Bernard (15) did so on Dec. 14, 2014, at Cleveland.
Brown and Moss are also one of just two running back duos in the league with at least 175 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, alongside Detroit’s David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Baltimore leads the NFL in rushing yards allowed and must be stout.
Ja’Marr Chase owns the Ravens
Sep 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) scores touchdown in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
In six career regular-season matchups against Baltimore, Chase has 505 yards on 37 catches and three touchdowns.
Ravens’ secondary
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Ravens’ secondary has been vulnerable when quarterbacks get out of the pocket. It’s 29th in the NFL, allowing 257 passing yards per game.
Zach Orr’s potential inexperience
Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
During Mike Macdonald’s tenure as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, Burrow averaged 189 passing yards per game and completed less than 65% of his passes. According to Next Gen Stats, his negative completion percentage was above expected.
The Ravens won three of those four games largely because they contained Burrow and the Bengals’ explosive passing offense. This will be Orr’s first matchup, and his defense needs to deliver. Burrow has thrown seven touchdowns over the past three weeks and finished with a 100+ quarterback rating in each game.
Final notes
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Baltimore can climb above .500 for the first time this season and win its third straight game. The Ravens also aim to win its third in a row over the Bengals. Sunday’s matchup is a massive game for the Bengals after their 0-3 start. Moving to 2-3 would put the Bengals squarely back into the division race, but falling to 1-4 would all but end their season.
