Bengals to face Ravens for top spot in AFC North
The Cincinnati Bengals, led by Joe Burrow and Ja'marr Chase, appeared to put the rest of the NFL on notice in Week 7 when Cincinnati traveled to Baltimore and dominated the Ravens on the road 41-17.
Not only did the offense put up 520 total yards, but the Bengals' defense did something the rest of the NFL had struggled to do by shutting down Lamar Jackson and sacking him five times.
Since that game, though, Cincinnati has gone 3-4, setting up a crucial matchup in Week 16. The Bengals will host the Ravens Sunday in a battle for top spot in the AFC North.
“We know Baltimore … they know us,” Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said.
But the Bengals are preparing not knowing if they'll face former NFL MVP Jackson or his backup Tyler Huntley.
Jackson suffered a foot injury in Week 14 and missed the Ravens' most recent game against the Green Bay
Packers. In his first NFL start, Huntley threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
However, the top priority for the Bengals' defense is stopping the Ravens from rushing, and that won't change no matter who is at quarterback for Baltimore.
“This is a very, very dangerous football team with great players,” said Anarumo. “This game will be nothing like the first game. It's just going to be different."
One reason it will be different is because Baltimore's roster is constantly in flux. The Ravens have been ravaged by injuries and entered the week with 17 players on the injured reserve list.
In the first meeting between the Ravens and Bengals, Chase couldn't be stopped. The rookie wide receiver put up a season-high 201 yards on eight catches and one touchdown. Chase hasn't had a 100-yard receiving game since, but is looking to get back to that previous level of productivity.
“We got to look deep down and dig, to be disciplined, to be savage,” Chase said.