Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals 'A Heated Rivalry!' Says John Harbaugh
The Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals will do battle in their second clash of the season at M&T Bank Stadium, and the rivalry of this division game isn't lost on Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
After the Ravens defeated Joe Burrow and the Bengals 27-24 in Week 2, now there's a chance for Baltimore to sweep the current AFC North champs.
It will be a little different this time around, as, in Week 2, Burrow was still hampered by his calf injury but has since put that behind him. But is there something tough about playing a team for the second time in a season?
“I don’t think there is a difficulty,” Harbaugh said. “You’re used to doing it in the National Football League in your division. It’s just part of the process, and you appreciate it, you know the teams, they know you. It’s a heated rivalry, very familiar games. But they’re always different with that being said, so just got to be ready for whatever happens, play our best football and see what we can do.”
The Ravens will be looking to bounce back after their 33-31 loss to the Cleveland Browns as, again, Baltimore let a double-digit lead slip.
It was another fourth quarter in which the Ravens were outscored, and it marks the fifth time this season that it has happened.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will be looking to sweep the Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.
Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
As such, questions over Lamar Jackson's ability to come through in the clutch have been raised. For Harbaugh, when it comes to No. 8 in crunch time, he's a firm believer in what Jackson can do.
“Nobody’s perfect in every game,” Harbaugh said. “Lamar competes, he fights. You’re going against the best defenses in football, the schemes. I just wouldn’t rather have any other quarterback in the league than Lamar Jackson in a tough situation. We all try to do our best in every situation.
"I just love his competitiveness, I’m a Lamar Jackson guy. That’s my guy, I believe in him, and I’ll take him in every fourth-quarter situation until I’m done coaching. Proud of him, and we’ll roll with Lamar Jackson.”
The Ravens, again, have a chance to pull clear in the division and perhaps end the Bengals' fleeting chances of repeating as AFC North champs.
In a primetime slot, the Ravens and Bengals' "heated rivalry" will add another chapter.
