Bengals–Ravens rivalry

The Bengals–Ravens rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. The rivalry began in 1996 when the Ravens were created after the Cleveland Browns, with whom the Bengals also share a rivalry, moved to Baltimore. The rivalry gained intensity in as the Bengals hired longtime Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis as head coach.

The two rivals have played twice annually since 1996 when the Ravens assumed the Browns' spot in the former AFC Central Division. Both teams were placed in the AFC North during the 2002 NFL realignment. The Ravens lead the overall series, 30–27. However, the Bengals won the teams’ lone playoff meeting in the 2022 Wild Card Round.

Notable games

 * November 3, 1996: Bengals 24, Ravens 21  In the first game in the history of the series, the Ravens took a 21–3 lead into halftime.  The Bengals scored 21 unanswered 2nd half points to win 24–21.
 * October 19, 2003: Bengals 34, Ravens 26  This was Bengals' head coach Marvin Lewis' first game against the Ravens.  Lewis previously served as the Ravens defensive coordinator from 1996 to 2001, including their Super Bowl XXXV title in 2000.
 * December 5, 2004: Bengals 27, Ravens 26 The Bengals overcame a 20–3 fourth quarter deficit to win 27–26.
 * September 10, 2007: Bengals 27, Ravens 20  This season-opening Monday Night Football game was best remembered for a touchdown celebration by Bengals' WR Chad Johnson, who is known for his touchdown celebrations.  After a score, he donned a gold jacket, resembling the jackets given to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, that read "Future H.O.F. 20??" on the back.
 * November 10, 2013: Ravens 20, Bengals 17  The Ravens built a 17–0 lead at halftime before the Bengals rallied to make it 17–10 with two seconds left. In the final play of regulation, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw a 49-yard Hail Mary pass. Despite being initially tipped, wide receiver A. J. Green ran toward the ball and caught it to tie the game at 17–17 at the end of regulation. However, the Ravens would win in overtime, 20–17.
 * September 7, 2014: Bengals 23, Ravens 16  Bengals kicker Mike Nugent kicked five field goals in the first half, tying an NFL record for most field goals kicked in a half.
 * December 31, 2017: Bengals 31, Ravens 27  In the final game of the regular season in Baltimore, Bengals QB Andy Dalton threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd in the closing seconds to give the Bengals, finishing at 7-9, an improbable win over the now-9–7 Ravens.  This win, combined with a Buffalo Bills win that day, eliminated the Ravens from playoff contention.
 * November 18, 2018: Ravens 24, Bengals 21 Ravens start 2018 first round draft pick Lamar Jackson at quarterback for the first time, he breaks the franchise rushing record for a QB with 117 yards. This marked Marvin Lewis' final game in the series, as he left the Cincinnati franchise at the end of the season.
 * December 26, 2021: Bengals 41, Ravens 21 In 2021, Cincinnati completed a season-sweep over Baltimore with a 41–21 victory at home. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 525 yards in this game, setting a Bengals franchise record.
 * January 15, 2023: Bengals 24, Ravens 17 The first playoff game in the rivalry's history occurred in the 2022 AFC Wild Card Round. Sam Hubbard scored on a 98-yard fumble return, colloquially known as the "Fumble in the Jungle", the longest fumble return in NFL postseason history, as Cincinnati registered a 24–17 victory.