The prediction game is a fickle one, but some of the Beatdown staff are participating in and going bold! Below are some of the staff member giving their bold predictions for the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens are facing a Cincinnati Bengals squad that’s struggled against the run this season, but just got back significant reinforcements as Myles Murphy, B.J. Hill and McKinnley Jackson are all returning. Their play will improve the run defense and as a result, we witness the Ravens tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely both flourish. Andrews nabs two touchdowns and Likely leads the receivers in yards with 120+. It becomes a bit of a shootout as the Ravens struggle to slow down Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki and crossing routes from their speedy receivers working the middle of the field.
Ultimately, the Ravens prevail as Jackson throws for around 300 yards and four touchdowns. — Kyle Phoenix
This is the Ravens’ third week in a row facing a subpar, shorthanded run defense, so sticking to their newfound identity should yield similar results. This is still the AFC North, though, and the Bengals won’t go down without a fight after gathering steam over the past few weeks. Baltimore should be able to seize control of this game, establishing a strong ground game and harassing Joe Burrow with multiple sacks in the first half on their way to a two-possession halftime lead. Cincinnati won’t go away silently, with a signature Ja’Marr Chase catch-and-run leading to a Bengals touchdown and sending Ravens fans into second-half hysterics once more. But just as they did against the Bills and the Cowboys, the offense will make enough plays in the second half, with some more timely yards from Justice Hill to convert on third down leading to a late Lamar Jackson touchdown to seal it. 27-17. — Nikhil Mehta
The Ravens will march into Cincinnati and continue to roll, following the same formula on offense that has propelled them to their last two straight victories. They will do so again against a poor Bengals run defense. Derrick Henry will have another 150-plus yard rushing performance and the offense as a whole will rack up over 200-plus rushing yards for the third week in a row while Lamar Jackson throws for three touchdowns on less than 20 attempts including two to Mark Andrews in the red zone. On defense, the unit will build off its best performance of the season thus far with another dominant one as Zach Orr follows the Mike Macdonald blueprint that has worked in making life hard for Joe Burrow in each of the last four meetings between the two teams. The pass rush will rack up six sacks with two coming from Kyle Van Noy for the fourth week in a row and both Travis Jones and Nnamdi Madubuike will notch at least one as well. The secondary will keep Ja’Marr Chase in check with first-round rookie Nate Wiggins making up for lost money by intercepting a pass intended for the star wideout that he will return to the house for the team’s first defensive score of the season. Also, Justin Tucker will nail two 50-plus yard field goals right down the middle at some pin as the Ravens win big 41-17. — Joshua Reed
The Ravens are looking to find their first winning record of 2024 and it comes against a division rival who struggles against the run. But, the Bengals are getting back three players along their front 4 who are impactful. So while the Ravens and Derrick Henry should have success, I expect the Ravens to use play action and use the Bengals likely hyper desire to stop the run. This will be a game to get the tight ends goings. While Mark Andrews starts to get rumbling, the day belongs to Isaiah Likely who goes for over 100 yards. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have quiet days combining for only 5 catches.
The defense is unremarkable but does the job. Joe Burrows feels pressure all day but only Madubuike and Ngakoue record sacks. The defense gives up a couple scores to the wideouts that keeps the game close but the offense keeps them while the secondary grabs their second interception to start what will become a hot streak. Ravens win. — Zach Canter
