Michael Hull

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. The Bengals play their first-ever Thanksgiving game in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens then host their AFC North foes in Week 15.

2024

The Ravens won the AFC North in 2024, finishing with a 12-5 record and losing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to the Buffalo Bills, 27-25.

Baltimore led the NFL in yards per game last season, averaging just under 425. They were also third in scoring, posting 30.5 points per contest. The rushing attack led the way, as the Ravens led the league in yards per game on the ground with 187.6. RB Derrick Henry had one of his best seasons as a pro in his first year with Baltimore, rushing for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 carries. QB Lamar Jackson was a finalist for the NFL's Most Valuable Player, throwing 41 touchdowns to just four interceptions and rushing for 915 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens allowed the ninth-fewest points per game (21.2) and settled in during the back half of the year, holding opponents under 20 points over the last month of the regular season. S Kyle Hamilton and LB Roquan Smith were two of nine Ravens named to the Pro Bowl, while LB Kyle Van Noy was selected as an alternate after finishing fourth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks.

Offseason Changes

Baltimore added WR DeAndre Hopkins during free agency to give Jackson another weapon on the outside. The 33-year old wideout is a three-time Associated Press All Pro and is coming off a 610-yard season that was split between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Ravens also signed CBs Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie in an attempt to shore up their cornerback position opposite Marlon Humprey. They drafted S Malachi Starks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and let starting G Patrick Mekari walk in free agency.

Coaching Staff

Head coach John Harbaugh enters his 18th season as head coach of the Ravens, the second-longest tenured head coach in the NFL behind Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin. Harbaugh has led the Ravens to 12 playoff appearances in 17 seasons, six AFC North titles and a Super Bowl victory in 2012. Baltimore is tied with the Packers for the third-most victories in the NFL since Harbaugh took over in 2008.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken enters his third year in Baltimore and his 37th year of coaching. Monken was previously the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2020-2022, helping UGA win back to back National Championships. He also had offensive coordinator stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016-2018 and the Cleveland Browns in 2019. In Monken's two years as OC, Baltimore has ranked second in points per game, yards per game and yards per play, as well as first in rushing yards per game and passer rating.

Defensive coordinator Zach Orr took over for Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in 2024 after two years as the team's inside linebackers coach. Orr played for the Ravens from 2014-2016, earning second-team All Pro in 2016 before retiring due to a congenital neck/spine condition. In his first season as DC, Orr's unit ranked first in rush defense and yards per rush, and second in sacks and QB hits.

Series History

The Bengals and Ravens have played 59 times as division rivals, including Cincinnati's 24-17 Wild Card victory in the 2022 AFC Wild Card round at Paycor Stadium.

What To Watch For

QB Joe Burrow threw for 820 yards and nine touchdowns in the teams' two matchups last season, while WR Ja'Marr Chase combined for 457 yards and five touchdowns. Burrow and Chase will see a new look Baltimore secondary, featuring Starks, Awuzie and Alexander joining Humprey and Hamilton.

Henry failed to go over 100 yards in either game against the Bengals in 2024, including just 68 yards in the second matchup of the season on 16 carries. Cincinnati added DT T.J. Slaton Jr. in free agency to bolster its rushing defense.