The Cincinnati Bengals handled Baltimore with ease in 2021 but to win the AFC North again, they’ll need to replicate that. It’s time to look at a few advantages the Bengals have over the Ravens and the chances of sweeping their rival in 2022.
The Baltimore Ravens have grown into the Cincinnati Bengals‘ biggest rival in the AFC North. Let’s recap all the events that have transpired in this rivalry since 2019.
First, Lamar Jackson spin moved his way into Nick Vigil’s nightmares.
That Lamar Jackson spin move tho... pic.twitter.com/C15SDOIRZx
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) November 10, 2019
Then, after benching Andy Dalton on his birthday, the Ravens obliterated Zac Taylor and crew 49-13 in Ryan Finley’s debut. Lamar Jackson celebrated this trouncing (of an 0-9 football team) by wearing sunglasses on the sideline.
Lamar Jackson today for #Ravens: 15/17 for 223 yards and 3 TDs, seven carries for 65 and a TD, and one pair of sunglasses. pic.twitter.com/HHyZycD0gC
— Ben Krimmel (@BenKrimmel) November 10, 2019
Onto 2020 and the Bengals savior Joe Burrow gets befuddled and embarrassed 27-3 in his first Ravens matchup. Later that season, the Ravens ran up the score in Week 17 to the tune of 38-3.
In the first matchup of 2021, the Bengals win 41-17 at M & T Bank stadium with the No. 1 seed on the line. Burrow threw for 416 yards and Ja’Marr Chase embarrassed Marlon Humphrey.
Later that season before a pivotal AFC North tilt, Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale tells the media “I don’t think we’re ready to buy a gold jacket for Joe (Burrow) yet” to which Burrow responds with 525 yards in a 41-21 drubbing.
After the embarrassment, John Harbaugh confronts Zac Taylor on the field for piling on the yardage.
John Harbaugh seemed unhappy with Zach Taylor for dialing up passes once the game was no longer in dispute. At least the Bengals weren't trying to extend the record for 100-yard rushing games.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 26, 2021
Burrow then wore a Santa Hat and calls Martindale’s comments “unnecessary”
Take that Wink Martindale. Yes, Joe Burrow heard the hold off on the Gold Jacket for Canton #Bengals pic.twitter.com/LGQ1rlkkaG
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 26, 2021
Following the game on ESPN former Raven Bart Scott marks Burrow with the Ravens’ infamous “Red Dot”
CANT WAIT!!!! pic.twitter.com/m6BGjcNKgJ
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) December 30, 2021
I mean WHAT A RIVALRY! I’m sure this list is only about to grow with a Sunday Night Football tilt and a season finale on the docket for the Ravens and Bengals in 2022.
What advantages will help the Bengals dominate this rivalry, and continue their recent torture of Baltimore?
All stats are courtesy of pro-football-reference.com
Joe Burrow
“I love playing the Ravens because they talk.”
Joe Burrow’s quote on The Full Send Podcast set the tone for who the Bengals’ biggest rival will be during his career. Whether it was his experience as a rookie or the disrespect from Don ‘Wink’ Martindale, something about Baltimore has them on Burrow’s bad side.
In Week 7, the Bengals won 41-17, embarrassing the 5-1 Ravens and a healthy Lamar Jackson. Then in week 16, the Bengals won 41-21 vs Tyler Huntley and a banged-up secondary, but Burrow threw for a franchise record 525 yards.
Burrow performed better against the Ravens in a single season than any quarterback in history in 2021.
A 415+ yards, 3+ TD passing game vs Ravens
— Mike Garrigan (@MikeGarrigan23) December 27, 2021
Joe Burrow 2 (both this year)
Drew Brees 1 (11/24/14)
Peyton Manning 1 (9/5/13)
That’s it@getnickwright
I’m sure the Ravens are circled on the schedule in Joe Burrow’s locker, and that’s a great sign for their matchups in 2022, especially considering his already historic domination of the franchise.