In the playoffs, the Ravens will get another chance to play the Bengals, and they are excited about it.
On the Wild Card weekend, Baltimore will go to Cincinnati on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC). On Sunday Night Football, the Ravens-Bengals AFC North rematch received top attention.
The Ravens (10-7) were defeated by Cincinnati by a score of 27-16, securing Baltimore the No. 6 seed. Cincinnati (11-5) will face Baltimore at Paycor Stadium as the No. 3 seed, setting up an intriguing postseason matchup between the two AFC North rivals. Both clubs won at home during the regular season games, which ended in a tie.
The stakes will be considerably higher when they rematch on Wild-Card Weekend, with the victor moving on and the loser being eliminated. Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback in the Pro Bowl, says he cannot wait.
It’s a little thrilling, Humphrey remarked. “We simply played a game.
“They are somewhat accustomed to us. It will just come down to whether team is stronger. Three games generally result in the superior team showing.”
The Ravens are hoping that Lamar Jackson (knee), who missed the final five games of the regular season, will be able to participate in the playoffs. Jackson was on the field when the Ravens upset the Bengals 19-17 in Week 5, but Baltimore is making no concessions regardless of the quarterback.
Defensive end Calais Campbell said, “Of course, if Lamar, if he’s able to go, it gives us the best chance to win. “I’m going to be hoping and rooting for it to happen. Furthermore, football is going on. We believe in our abilities. With anyone we send out there, we’re going to go out there and give it our best effort.”
Due to the Bills’ (14-3) victory over the Patriots, who held onto the No. 2 seed, the Bengals’ victory on Sunday did not elevate them to that position. The Dolphins, who secured the last playoff position for the AFC with a victory against the Jets, will play home to the Bills in the other AFC Wild-Card games.
While the Chiefs will receive a first-round bye, the fourth-seeded Jaguars will host the fifth-seeded Chargers.
Prior to begin on Sunday, both clubs had already secured a postseason position, but the competition was intense and would continue to be so throughout the playoffs. Several starters for the Ravens were benched in Week 18, including right guard Kevin Zeitler, tight end Mark Andrews, and running back J.K. Dobbins. But in the playoffs, when every healthy starter will play, there won’t be any holding back when it comes to each team’s gameplan and strategy.
Campbell was unsurprised that there was constant heavy hitting and trash yelling during this game. Before the season started, many predicted that the Bengals and Ravens would compete for the AFC North title, and that is precisely what occurred. The Ravens want to pass through Cincinnati on their path to a larger reward, but Cincinnati earned its second consecutive division crown.
Football playoffs, declared Campbell. “This is a little bit like what it will be like next week against a divisional opponent. They are really skilled and play with a lot of emotion, and I have the utmost respect for them. Being chipper is expected in the game. They desire it as fervently as we do. Whoever plays the ball the best will win.”
Inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who had a game-high 16 tackles, played against the Bengals for the first time. He was active all over the field. Smith like the concept of opening the playoffs against a divisional foe and has relished the rivalries within the AFC North since being acquired in a midseason trade.
Smith stated, “I’m looking forward to next week.” “They know we’ll be there the next week when we return. I’m thrilled and believe it will be a wonderful chance for us to demonstrate our plans to the globe.”