The rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens is no secret. Fans feel it deeply, and so do the players. While volumes could be written about this intense matchup, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith captured the essence in just nine words:
“They don’t like us, and we don’t like them.”
That blunt sentiment echoes what both teams’ fanbases know well — there’s no love lost between these fierce rivals. Smith’s statement perfectly sums up a rivalry built on mutual disdain, shared by the players and fans alike.
The animosity between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens is rooted in their divisional rivalry, which forces the teams to face off twice every season—a tradition that dates back to the Ravens’ entry into the NFL in 1996. With so many clashes over the years, tensions were bound to rise.
Historically, Baltimore holds a slight edge, leading the all-time series 30-27, but it was the Bengals who claimed victory in their only playoff showdown during the 2022 postseason. Last season, the Ravens took both regular-season games, which adds fuel to Cincinnati’s drive for redemption heading into their Week 5 matchup.
Recent years have intensified the rivalry, as it now pits two of the league’s elite quarterbacks—Joe Burrow for the Bengals and Lamar Jackson for the Ravens—against each other. With Burrow being the top overall pick in 2020 and Jackson having secured his MVP crown in 2018, each game is not just about the teams, but a battle between two of the NFL’s brightest stars.
Lamar Jackson has consistently excelled against the Cincinnati Bengals, boasting an impressive 8-2 career record in their matchups. Meanwhile, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has a 3-4 regular-season record against Baltimore, but he holds the edge in the postseason, having won their only playoff meeting—though Jackson was sidelined due to injury for that game.
As Week 5 approaches, another chapter in this heated rivalry is set to unfold, with both teams desperately needing a win. The Ravens, fresh off a victory over the Buffalo Bills, are sitting at 2-2, while the Bengals, after an 0-3 start, are looking to build on their recent win and get their season back on track.
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