As one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries reignites this Sunday afternoon, the gridiron will be set ablaze when the Baltimore Ravens travel to battle the Cincinnati Bengals in their first AFC North showdown of the season.
These two powerhouses have collectively dominated recent division titles, clinching five of the last six and the previous three between them. Baltimore (2-2) disrupted Cincinnati’s two-year reign atop the AFC North last year and enters this clash on a high, riding a two-game winning streak to solidify their current standing.
The Ravens orchestrated a commanding 35-10 triumph over the Buffalo Bills last Sunday night, highlighted by an electrifying 87-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry on the game’s opening play. Henry stands tall as the NFL’s rushing leader with an impressive 480 yards, propelling Baltimore to the top of the league in team rushing, averaging an astounding 220.3 rushing yards per game.
As if Henry’s accomplishments weren’t enough, the spectacular running back is on the brink of two historic milestones. He needs just one touchdown to reach the century mark for his sensational career and is merely 18 yards shy of breaching the monumental 10,000-yard barrier.
“Derrick’s uniqueness stems from his undeniable talent and incredible work ethic,” lauded Ravens Coach John Harbaugh. “He’s an extraordinarily strong human being."
"We evaluated Derrick thoroughly before bringing him aboard, and seeing him continue at this level is fantastic. We anticipated such brilliance, and it’s exhilarating to watch."
Meanwhile, the Bengals (1-3) tasted their first victory of the season with a spirited performance last Sunday in Charlotte, claiming a 34-24 win over the Carolina Panthers. Thanks to a season-best 141 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns from Chase Brown, Cincinnati surged to a commanding 17-point lead late in the third quarter.
Ja’Marr Chase dazzled with a 63-yard catch-and-run, while Joe Burrow delivered a solid performance, completing 22 of 31 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns, albeit with one interception. The Bengals have impressively racked up 67 points in their last two contests.
"We’re eager to showcase our talents in front of our fans come Sunday. We’ve worked tirelessly this week, preparing to deliver our absolute best," Cincinnati declares with fervor.
Baltimore showcased supremacy in the 2023 season series against Cincinnati after splitting their encounters in 2022. The Bengals, however, could be bolstered by crucial defensive reinforcements as Myles Murphy and McKinnley Jackson resume practice and could be pivotal come game day.
BJ Hill has also returned to practice following a hamstring injury in Week 2, albeit in a limited capacity, joined by key defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck/back). In contrast, cornerback Mike Hilton (knee) and defensive end Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Over in Baltimore, linebacker Chris Board (ankle) and cornerback Arthur Maulet (knee/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis this week.
The anticipation is palpable. As the rivalry is set to scale new heights, the battle lines are drawn, promising a clash filled with intense competition and unyielding passion for NFL football!
