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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to keep an eye on
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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to keep an eye on

For the first time this season, the Baltimore Ravens face another AFC North team.

The Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals meet in a crucial divisional contest between bitter rivals. The Ravens won the match last season with 27:24 and 34:20 victories against Cincinnati.

Both teams go into Sunday’s game with some momentum. The Bengals (1-3) earned their first win of the season in Week 4 with a 34-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers, while Baltimore (2-2) earned two straight wins, including a dominant 35-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills.

Here are three things to keep an eye on when the AFC North rivals meet in their Week 5 game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium.

Can Nate Wiggins keep up?

Nate Wiggins has quickly become a starter on defense and has seen his playing time increase dramatically since missing Week 2 with a neck injury. Against the Bills, Wiggins played the most playing time of his career, allowing just one catch for five yards and nearly having the first interception of his career several times.

However, the Bengals are a different beast than the receivers Wiggins faced against Buffalo. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are one of the best receiver tandems in the NFL and can ruin a game if they’re constantly open. Joe Burrow is also one of the most accurate passers in the league and won’t hesitate to go after Wiggins again and again if the Bengals’ receivers consistently win the game.

Wiggins will likely be tested on numerous occasions, and if he holds his own, not only would it go a long way toward slowing down the potent Bengals’ passing attack, but it could also solidify the Ravens rookie as the emerging No. 1 cornerback.

Will Baltimore keep the same offensive line?

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

After Andrew Vorhees was unable to play, the Ravens retooled their offensive line by moving Patrick Mekari to left guard and bringing Roger Rosengarten into the starting lineup at right tackle. The results? Baltimore rushed for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

The Ravens’ offense didn’t allow a single pressure on Lamar Jackson in the one-sided victory.

However, Vorhees was listed as questionable. It’s certainly questionable whether the team should even bother pushing for him if there’s any doubt about his ability to leave. Given the success of the offensive line last week, running them back with the same group might be the smartest move for the Ravens.

Will Derrick Henry make more history?

Over the last two weeks, Derrick Henry has been everything the Ravens expected him to be and more.

The former All-Pro has rushed for 350 yards and three touchdowns in Baltimore’s last two games. He also set the franchise record for longest touchdown run, rushing for an 87-yard score on the team’s first offensive play against the Bills.

Now he will face a weak Bengals rush defense.

Cincinnati has allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns and the eighth-most rushing yards per game this season. Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard rushed for 18 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against the Bengals, and the Washington Commanders had three rushing touchdowns in their 38-33 win over Cincinnati.

Given Henry’s hot streak and the fact that the Bengals have struggled to stop the run so far this season, the recipe could be in place for another historic performance from the former Offensive Player of the Year in the first AFC North divisional game of his tenure with the Ravens .

Be sure to bookmark Baltimore Ravens on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, movie recaps and more!

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