With the Ravens trying to avoid a third straight loss and a season sweep at the hands of Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. “It’s a little annoying … having to get up here every week and be like, ‘We need to turn it on. We need to turn it on.’ It’s been like that ever since Week 1. It’s time that we go out and do it, and there’s no excuse.” Indeed, Kyle Hamilton.
2. Cincinnati lost another winnable game in Buffalo to further deplete its remote postseason hopes, and Joe Burrow’s recent comments have sparked speculation about his future. Do the Bengals come out motivated to play spoiler in Burrow’s first home game since Week 2, or do they simply go through the motions?
3. Especially with Lamar Jackson being listed as receiving “non-injury rest” Wednesday, it was interesting hearing Todd Monken acknowledge the absences creating “some challenges” after downplaying that for weeks. There’s certainly a cost-benefit analysis at work in considering Jackson’s health, but it’s also extremely close to do or die time.
4. The weather forecast isn’t going to make Jackson — who’s never lost a start in Cincinnati — feel better with temperatures in the low-to-mid teens. The two-time MVP said, “Can’t do anything about it. I can’t control the weather.” It’s not going to get much better the rest of the way either.
5. The pivotal matchup in this game will be Baltimore’s below-average pass rush against the Cincinnati offensive line that’s been better in recent weeks. Per PFF, the Bengals are ninth in pressure rate allowed and eighth in rushing success rate since their Week 10 bye. The Ravens need to disrupt Burrow.
6. In nine career games against the Ravens, Ja’Marr Chase has 65 catches for 1,072 yards and eight touchdowns. Having watched those games over the years, I would have guessed the four-time Pro Bowl receiver had posted even bigger numbers than those.
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7. After reports of Tee Higgins experiencing concussion symptoms after the Buffalo game and so soon after he’d just returned from a concussion, most assumed he’d be out for Week 15, which came to fruition despite some limited practice work. However, his absence didn’t seem to matter much on Thanksgiving night.
8. Keaton Mitchell’s knee issue proved to be more of a scare than a concern, and Tavius Robinson and Ar’Darius Washington appear to be ready to make their return from reserve lists. If this roster’s anywhere near as talented as so many believed, Baltimore can’t use injuries as an excuse.
9. While failures in the red zone have arguably been the offense’s biggest problem with the Ravens ranking a woeful 30th in touchdown percentage (44.9%) after ranking first (73.97%) last year, they’re first in red-zone defense since Week 6. What a frustrating contrast for a frustrating football team.
10. Baltimore has converted just 34.3% of its third downs over the last five games, which ranks 26th. This alone isn’t surprising to anyone who’s watched, but that percentage has come on a league-low 5.4-yard distance to gain on those third downs, according to Sharp Football. Seeing that truly surprised me.
11. Travis Jones has become one of the league’s best run-stopping defensive tackles and has a work ethic second to none. Reflecting after signing his $40.5 million extension, he was direct about wanting to improve as a pass rusher. Given doubts about Nnamdi Madubuike’s future, that would really help this defense.
12. Considering how very little Steve Bisciotti has said publicly for years now, trying to anticipate what the fallout will be if the Ravens crash and burn over these final four games is anyone’s guess. That said, how players respond down the stretch will say plenty about this coaching staff.
Prediction: I can’t do it anymore after picking 11 wins over the first 13 games. After waiting all season for the Ravens to start looking like the Super Bowl contender everyone believed them to be and watching them grind their way through a five-game winning streak against underwhelming competition, I figured Baltimore would find a higher gear for division home games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Instead, John Harbaugh’s team lost both matchups. Yes, the AFC might be wide open relative to preseason expectations, but this team ranks ninth in that conference and has one victory all year against a team currently holding a winning record. At some point, you have to believe what someone’s telling you and showing you about themself over and over. The 2025 Ravens are a painfully mediocre football team that just hasn’t shown consistency or a championship-caliber mettle on which to build. It’ll be a close game because Cincinnati isn’t good either, but the Bengals win 27-23 to further deplete Baltimore’s fading playoff hopes.
