Week 7
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
October 25, 2026
M&T Bank Stadium
AFC North Rivalry
Ravens–Bengals
AFC North parity, perfectly matched
A twice-a-year AFC North clash defined by remarkable balance, with the all-time series separated by only a handful of games. The matchup grew sharper once the Bengals hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and the franchises began trading division titles.
The Rivalry
The series began in 1996 when the relocated Cleveland franchise became the Baltimore Ravens, inheriting Cincinnati as a regular opponent. Tension built in 2003 when the Bengals hired Marvin Lewis, who had coordinated Baltimore's record-setting 2000 defense, and intensified when both clubs were placed in the new AFC North in 2002. For years the series swung wildly: Cincinnati erased a 20-3 fourth-quarter deficit to win 27-26 in 2004, while Baltimore answered with an overtime victory in 2013 after A.J. Green hauled in a Hail Mary. The arrival of Joe Burrow in Cincinnati and Lamar Jackson in Baltimore turned the rivalry into a quarterback showcase, with the Bengals sweeping the 2021 season and the teams continuing to split close, high-scoring games. Few NFL rivalries feature two franchises so evenly matched over nearly three decades.
What's at Stake
Because both teams sit in the AFC North, every meeting carries direct playoff and tiebreaker weight, often deciding seeding in one of football's deepest divisions. The Jackson-Burrow era has made these games marquee national television events, with MVP-caliber quarterbacks on each side. Geographically, Baltimore and Cincinnati are roughly a day's drive apart, and the close, swinging history keeps both fan bases convinced the next game could go either way.
Famous Moments
- 2004 — Cincinnati rallied from a 20-3 fourth-quarter hole to stun Baltimore 27-26.
- 2013 — Baltimore won 20-17 in overtime after A.J. Green caught a Hail Mary to force the extra period.
- 2021 — The Bengals swept the season series, with Joe Burrow setting franchise passing records.
- 2023 — In the Wild Card round, Sam Hubbard returned a fumble 98 yards, the longest fumble-return touchdown in NFL playoff history, lifting Cincinnati to a 24-17 win.
- 2024 — Baltimore took both meetings, including a 35-34 comeback victory.
The Ravens–Bengals Games in 2026
The Two Teams
Plan the Trip
This is a true AFC North road trip: Baltimore plays at M&T Bank Stadium, in a downtown sports district beside Camden Yards, while Cincinnati hosts at Paycor Stadium on the Ohio River near The Banks entertainment area. The two cities are an easy drive apart, making a home-and-home season pairing realistic for dedicated fans. With two electrifying quarterbacks and consistently tight finishes, either stadium delivers a bucket-list divisional atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ravens–Bengals
The two teams first met in 1996. A twice-a-year AFC North clash defined by remarkable balance, with the all-time series separated by only a handful of games. The matchup grew sharper once the Bengals hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and the franchises began trading division titles.
Because both teams sit in the AFC North, every meeting carries direct playoff and tiebreaker weight, often deciding seeding in one of football's deepest divisions. The Jackson-Burrow era has made these games marquee national television events, with MVP-caliber quarterbacks on each side. Geographically, Baltimore and Cincinnati are roughly a day's drive apart, and the close, swinging history keeps both fan bases convinced the next game could go either way.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Baltimore Ravens host at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; Cincinnati Bengals play at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
