The Baltimore Ravens are still alive in the playoff race, and their emphatic 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday served as a reminder of how dangerous they can be when things finally come together.
The shutout victory at Paycor Stadium not only eliminated the Bengals from postseason contention, but also restored belief that Baltimore can still make noise in the AFC if it continues to play at this level.
At 7-7 – good enough for second place in the Division -, the Ravens snapped a two-game losing streak and pulled within a half-game of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who remain atop the AFC North. With three weeks left in the regular season, the division has officially become a two-team race, and Baltimore‘s dominant performance ensured that meaningful football remains on the schedule.
A huge contrast from Thanksgiving’s performance
The contrast from the teams’ Thanksgiving meeting could not have been sharper. In that game, the Ravens suffered one of their worst losses of the season, falling 32-14. This time, in the coldest game in franchise history with a game-time temperature of 10 degrees and a minus-1 wind chill, Baltimore delivered what many around the league described as a vintage Ravens performance. Defense and physicality carried the day, and Cincinnati never found a foothold.
Quarterback Joe Burrow, who had tormented Baltimore in previous meetings, was held scoreless for the first time in his NFL career. The Ravens sacked him three times, hit him repeatedly, and disrupted the Bengals‘ offense from the opening drive. Baltimore‘s defense played with visible edge and intensity, forcing turnovers and setting the tone early.
Offensively, the Ravens leaned into their identity. Derrick Henry set the tone immediately, carrying the ball on the first three plays of the game and finishing with 100 yards on just 11 carries. Keaton Mitchell added 66 yards on eight attempts, and Lamar Jackson contributed with timely runs of his own. Baltimore‘s formula was clear and effective: control the game on the ground, limit mistakes, and let the defense dictate terms.
A change in tone when it comes to the Ravens
The performance has changed the tone around the Ravens‘ season. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Baltimore‘s resurgence could set up a dramatic finish in the AFC North. With upcoming games against New England at home and Green Bay on the road, and Pittsburgh facing Miami, Detroit, and Cleveland, the regular-season finale between the Ravens and Steelers in Week 18 could decide the division.
Graziano wrote that while Pittsburgh remains in the driver’s seat after beating Baltimore earlier this season, the Ravens looked as good Sunday as they have all year. He added that if Lamar Jackson is healthy and the defense continues to play at this level, Baltimore becomes very dangerous regardless of matchup.
Graziano expects the Ravens to stay within striking distance and potentially enter Week 18 tied for the division lead, turning that finale into a de facto AFC North title game.
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