Quick reboot for familiar foes

Ravens eager to get Bengals, trust both QBS

CINCINNATI — The Bengals and Ravens play for the second consecutive week — and third time this season — on Sunday night in a wildcard playoff game.

The AFC North rivals know each other pretty well by now.

“They know what we try to do on offense; we know what they try to do on defense,” Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow said. “So they try to take away our bread-and-butter stuff, and they’re pretty good at it.”

But it’s the playoffs, so there’s bound to be surprises and extra intensity when the teams meet again in Cincinnati.

Baltimore is especially motivated after going 8-9 last season and missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and then watching the Bengals make a Super Bowl run.

“There is a hunger, for sure,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “This team has been through a lot.”

Baltimore (10-7) will look different from last week.

With a wild-card berth secured, the Ravens rested key players last week, including running back J.K. Dobbins and Andrews. The Bengals won 27-16, splitting the season series.

With quarterback Lamar Jackson out with a knee injury and backup Tyler Huntley dealing with a sore shoulder, rookie Anthony Brown got his first NFL start. He threw for 286 yards but was intercepted twice and fumbled in his end zone, resulting in a Cincinnati touchdown.

It’s not clear whether Huntley will be ready to go, either, or if Brown will get another start Sunday. The Ravens are 2-3 without Jackson.

“There’s so much trust in both of them, and that’s with everybody on the team,” Andrews said. “Whoever it may be, we’re going to be alright.”

Either way, Baltimore will lean on a refreshed Dobbins, who since returning from a knee injury in Week 14 has rushed for 397 yards, including 13 runs of 10 or more yards.

The Bengals (12-4) have their own issues. Right guard Alex Cappa will miss the game after hurting his ankle last week. That came after the Bengals lost right tackle La’el Collins to a knee injury.

The right side of a retooled Bengals line that had been so good throughout an eight-game win streak will start two backups, tackle Hakeem Adeniji and guard Max Scharping.

If the postgame discussion about cheap shots last week is any indication, emotions could be heated.

“We’ll see Sunday night,” linebacker Patrick Queen said. “If there’s smoke, there’s smoke. We’re not running from anybody.”

Jeff Dean The Associated Press Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely makes a catch against Bengals cornerback Eli Apple on Jan. 8 during Cincinnati’s 27-16 win.