A fierce AFC North battle is coming this Sunday as the Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens for their second and final regular-season matchup. The division remains tight, with the Pittsburgh Steelers sitting at the top at 7-6, the Ravens close behind at 6-7, and the Bengals hanging on at 4-9, needing a miracle to stay alive. Here at PayPerHead, we have our Ravens vs Bengals prediction and everything you need to know before kickoff.
How to Watch Ravens vs. Bengals
- Date: Sunday, December 14
- Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
- Broadcast: CBS
- Venue: Paycor Stadium
Ravens vs. Bengals Game Preview and Early Outlook
Only four weeks remain in the regular season, and the AFC playoff picture is far from settled. With the Steelers and Ravens separated by a single game, both teams are fighting to stay in contention for the division crown. Whoever slips now could easily fall into “in the hunt” status and watch their shot at the AFC North fade.
Cincinnati’s situation is far more desperate. At 4-9, they not only need to win out—they also need several results around the league to break their way. Their loss to the Bills last week didn’t eliminate them mathematically, but it pulled them closer to the edge. At this point, the Bengals are playing with urgency but also with the weight of a season that never found rhythm.
Baltimore Ravens Form Guide
The Ravens haven’t looked like themselves lately. Lamar Jackson has shown flashes, but he hasn’t been fully healthy, and the offensive line hasn’t given him the stability he needs. The inconsistency has been visible on the scoreboard: last week’s loss to the Steelers could end up defining the division race if Baltimore can’t recover in time.
Their struggles didn’t start there. They fell to the Bengals earlier this season in Joe Burrow’s big return, adding to a shaky stretch that included losses but also a few hard-earned wins, such as over the Jets (23–10), Browns (16–23), and Vikings (19–27). The pieces are still there—Baltimore just hasn’t been able to put it together for four quarters.
How the Bengals Enter This Matchup
Cincinnati enters this matchup coming off a grueling, snow-filled battle with the Buffalo Bills, ultimately falling 39–34. The result was a punch to the gut for a team that has already dropped four of its last five games. Losses to the Patriots (20–26), Steelers (34–12), and Bears (42–47) added to the spiral.
Surprisingly, their lone victory in that stretch came against these very Ravens (14–32), giving Cincinnati both a confidence boost and a clear blueprint for what worked last time. If they can replicate that performance, they could complete the divisional sweep—something few expected earlier in the year.
Final Ravens vs. Bengals Prediction
A year ago, this matchup felt like a heavyweight showdown. This time around, both Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have missed chunks of the season, and neither offense operates with the same fluidity it once had. Still, the stakes are enormous, the pressure is real, and both sides know what this game means.
The Bengals already proved they can beat Baltimore this season, and with home-field energy and a desperate need to stay alive, Cincinnati enters with slightly more momentum. Expect a competitive, emotional game in Cincinnati.
Our prediction at PayPerHead: Ravens 24–31 Bengals.
