CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals return from their bye week Sunday with a trip to Baltimore and an opportunity to run their record to 4-2.
Cincinnati enters the matchup at 3-2, coming off a 31-24 victory over Miami that featured four touchdown passes from Joe Burrow and a much-improved rushing performance. Baltimore is 4-2 after losing 13-10 to Cleveland last Sunday, putting the Bengals within striking distance in a tightly contested division.
The Ravens have been productive offensively this season, although quarterback Lamar Jackson's availability remains uncertain because of an ankle injury. Cincinnati has enough talent to win this matchup, but three areas will be particularly important if the Bengals want to leave Baltimore with their fourth victory.
1. Stop the Run
This goes without saying when facing the Ravens, yeah?
Cincinnati's defense has improved this season, particularly when it comes to pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, the Bengals haven't been nearly as successful against the run, and Sunday's opponent presents another challenge.
Miami rushed for 217 yards against Cincinnati before the bye week, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Baltimore features Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 534 yards and seven touchdowns through six games, making him one of the NFL's most productive running backs.
If Jackson returns, Cincinnati will also have to account for his freakish abilities. The Ravens quarterback returned to limited practice Wednesday after missing two games with an ankle injury and was back on the practice field Thursday, but his status for Sunday remains uncertain.
The Bengals need their defensive front to control the line of scrimmage and their linebackers to tackle consistently. Giving Baltimore manageable third downs by allowing five or six yards on early rushing attempts would make an already difficult road matchup way harder.
2. Keep the Offense Balanced
The Bengals finally showed some improvement running the football against Miami, gaining 117 yards on 31 attempts after managing only 23 against Jacksonville the previous week.
Samaje Perine led the way with 68 yards on 14 carries, giving Cincinnati a dependable option alongside Chase Brown. The production wasn't spectacular, but it helped the Bengals avoid relying exclusively on Burrow to move the football.
Baltimore's defense will have to account for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, two receivers capable of changing a game with a single play. Establishing even a moderately successful running attack should make it more difficult for the Ravens to concentrate entirely on Cincinnati's passing game.
That won't be easy against a Baltimore defense allowing just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. The Bengals don't need to run for 200 yards to win, but they do need to keep the Ravens guessing and avoid the long-yardage situations that allow opposing defenses to focus on getting after Burrow. Not to mention, a good run game allows Cincinnati to keep Baltimore on the sideline.
3. Protect Joe Burrow
The Bengals have made progress protecting Burrow, and that improvement needs to continue Sunday. Baltimore's defense presents several challenges, including former Bengal Trey Hendrickson, who spent five seasons in Cincinnati before joining the Ravens during the offseason.
Hendrickson knows Burrow and the Bengals' offensive personnel well, making his matchup with Cincinnati's offensive tackles an interesting one. He returned from injury last week against Cleveland, recording a sack and eight quarterback pressures, and will undoubtedly be motivated to perform well against his former team.
Burrow was not sacked in Cincinnati's victory over Miami, an encouraging development after protection problems earlier in the season. Keeping him upright against Baltimore will be important, especially if the Bengals are forced into obvious passing situations.
Cincinnati's offensive line doesn't have to be perfect, but it needs to give Burrow enough time to find Chase, Higgins, and his other targets. If the Bengals can combine that protection with an effective running game, their offense should be capable of putting points on the board.
What's Next
The Bengals face the Ravens on Sunday, October 25, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
