The Ravens fell to 4-3 after a 35-13 loss to the Bengals in Week 7, with the second half seeing the team shut out while Cincinnati surged. Standout performers included Zay Flowers, who logged eight catches for 137 yards and a TD, veteran safety K’Von Wallace’s key pressure and forced fumble, rookie center Cam Jurgens’ solid debut (only one pressure allowed), and defensive end Travis Jones’ three pressures. The losers were backup QB Tyler Huntley, who went 0-0 in the second half and threw a costly interception, linemen Roger Rosengarten and John Simpson for sacks and penalties, Derrick Henry’s meager 45 yards on 17 carries, and defensive backs Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey for missed tackles and big plays allowed.
Former Seahawks defenders are heading opposite ways in 2026. Edge rusher Boye Mafe thrives with the Cincinnati Bengals, posting 4.5 sacks, six QB hits, a forced fumble and a career‑best 17.6% pressure rate as the Bengals sit 4‑2 and eye the playoffs. In contrast, cornerback Riq Woolen struggles for the Philadelphia Eagles, surrendering 296 yards and two TDs over his last four games, committing six penalties and watching the Eagles fall 38‑21 to Dallas. Their divergent performances highlight a rising Bengals defense and a declining Eagles secondary.
Ravens guard Vega Ioane suffers an MCL sprain in Week 7 against the Bengals, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 22‑year‑old, a 2026 first‑round pick (14th overall) who signed a four‑year, $24.2 million rookie deal, is expected to miss a short stretch of time. Ioane has started seven games this season at guard and center after a decorated college career at Penn State, where he earned All‑Big 10 and All‑American honors.
Week 7 churned out seven key NFL storylines: Deshaun Watson led the Browns to a 27-24 win over Tennessee with 308 passing yards and a rushing TD; Giants rookie Cam Skattebo broke out with 124 rushing yards in an overtime victory; Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shone with 252 yards against the Texans, igniting trade‑talk; the 49ers’ loss to Atlanta highlighted the impact of missing Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel; Joe Burrow’s second‑half surge gave Cincinnati a win but exposed a weak run game; Caleb Williams posted 308 yards and two TDs as the Bears finally found offensive rhythm despite Cole Kmet’s season‑ending injury; and the Titans’ defensive woes forced Daniel Jones into early trouble. These takeaways frame the league’s emerging contenders and looming questions heading into the second half of the season.
Week 7 AFC report cards reveal a mixed bag: the Broncos (A) dominate the Cardinals, while the Chiefs slip to D+ after a Seattle loss. The Bengals earn an A+ with a comeback win over the Ravens, who fall to D+. The Patriots sit at B‑, the Jets at C‑, and the Dolphins secure an A after beating New York. In the AFC South, the Titans earn B‑, the Colts D+, and the Texans C+. Bye weeks give the Bills, Chargers and Jaguars a reset. Grades highlight surprise victories and disappointing defeats across the conference.
The Ravens’ rookie offensive lineman Vega Ioane sprains his MCL against Cincinnati, but insiders say it’s a short‑term injury, allowing him to return sooner than feared. Ioane, who has split time at right guard and center, will likely miss a few snaps while Cam Jurgens fills in at center and the unit relies on Emery Jones Jr. or Andrew Vorhees at guard. The bigger concern remains Lamar Jackson, still sidelined with an ankle injury and with an uncertain return timeline. Baltimore sits 4‑3 and hopes Jackson is back for the Nov. 1 matchup at Buffalo.
The Cincinnati Bengals rally from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens 35-13 on Oct. 27, 2026, thanks in part to Ja’Marr Chase’s five catches, one TD and a crucial spark in the second half. Vice President JD Vance highlighted Chase’s impact on his six‑year‑old son—who recalled the receiver complimenting his football gloves during a recent practice visit—posting a heartfelt note on X. The article also notes recent Bengals roster moves, Chase’s recent NFL penalty and injury concerns for him and Tee Higgins, and previews an upcoming divisional clash that could shape AFC North playoff hopes.
Shane Steichen’s Big Plan for Daniel Jones! Jonathan Taylor to Bengals Rumors! Brewers on the Brink!
The Bengals shocked the Ravens on Oct. 27, turning a 13‑0 halftime deficit into a 35‑0 second‑half surge, ending the game 35‑13. After a sluggish first half with just 59 yards and three first downs, the offense exploded for 298 yards, 19 first downs and five touchdowns, driven by Joe Burrow and a fiery halftime speech from Ja’Marr Chase. The piece also notes the team's struggling run game (third‑fewest rushing yards this season), highlights Dexter Lawrence’s impact on the defensive line, and questions the benching of rookie Shemar Stewart.
CBS reported that the Ravens were taken aback when star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who hadn’t played since Oct. 4, was ruled out of the Week 7 matchup against Cincinnati. Jackson, listed as day‑to‑day, told media his ankle was still painful but didn’t confirm availability, leading to speculation that he withdrew on Saturday. Coach Jesse Minter denied being “shocked,” saying Jackson is working hard to return and will be evaluated Wednesday. Backup Tyler Huntley started, and the Bengals won 35‑13. The two teams meet again on Thursday Night Football Dec. 31 in Cincinnati.
Tight end Erick All Jr. exits the Bengals’ Week 7 win over the Ravens with a knee injury after a collision with Roquan Smith. The exact diagnosis and return timeline remain unknown, leaving fans eager for an update on a player who missed most of 2024 and all of 2025 due to a torn ACL suffered in college. The article also notes Boye Mafe’s breakout pass‑rush performance (5 pressures, 2 sacks) and why defensive lineman Shemar Stewart has been low in the rotation, while touching on NFL headlines like Jay‑Z’s Super Bowl LXI halftime slot.
In Week 7 the Cincinnati Bengals erased a 13‑0 first‑half hole to beat the Baltimore Ravens 35‑13, showcasing a Super Bowl‑caliber offense when Joe Burrow is on fire. Burrow threw for 292 yards, four touchdowns and no picks on 22 of 30 passing, while Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each found the end zone. The comeback, sparked by a 9‑play, 66‑yard TD drive to TE Mike Gesicki, puts the Bengals at 4‑2 and half a game behind the Browns and Steelers in the AFC North. The article argues that this performance could launch a dominant run for Zac Taylor’s squad if Burrow stays healthy.
The Baltimore Ravens blow a 13‑0 lead to lose 35‑13 at Cincinnati on Sunday, dropping to 4‑3 and slipping behind the Bengals (4‑2) in the AFC North. Head coach Jesse Minter takes the heat for the worst halftime adjustment in decades, as the Ravens become the first team in 76 years to lead by 13 at halftime and lose by 20 or more. Key offenders include RB Derrick Henry, who limps to just 45 yards on 17 carries, and a struggling O‑line and defense that couldn’t contain Joe Burrow. Minter cites over‑reliance on momentum and vows to find a more even‑keeled identity.
Head coach Zac Taylor praised Ja’Marr Chase’s halftime rally that sparked the Bengals’ 35-13 comeback win over the Ravens on Oct. 26. After trailing 13‑0 at the break, Chase’s urging—"somebody’s got to make a play for us"—ignited an offense that scored the final 35 points. Joe Burrow threw for 292 yards and four TDs, while Tee Higgins and Chase each added a touchdown. The victory lifts Cincinnati to 4‑2 and strengthens its AFC North playoff push. Taylor lauds Chase’s leadership, noting the star “challenged everyone the right way.” The Bengals now host the Titans on Nov. 1.
After a 35-13 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter says the team needs stronger on‑field leadership to halt the skid. Despite a 13-0 halftime lead, Baltimore allowed Cincinnati to score the final 35 points. Minter highlighted gaps in player leadership, urging a “go‑to” voice to rally teammates. Quarterback Tyler Huntley threw for 298 yards and a TD, while Zay Flowers shined with 137 receiving yards and a score. With Lamar Jackson still recovering, the Ravens aim to rebound against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 on Nov. 1.
In AFC news, the Bengals erased a 13-0 halftime deficit against the Ravens on Oct. 26, scoring five second‑half touchdowns as head coach Zac Taylor praised the offense’s rhythm and defensive momentum. Meanwhile, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, despite ranking low in efficiency metrics and leading the league with 25 sacks taken, has guided Cleveland to a 5‑2 record with five game‑winning drives, earning praise from TE Harold Fannin Jr. The Ravens, reeling from a Week 7 loss, hear RB Derrick Henry call his own performance “terrible” and OT Ronnie Stanley note a loss of focus, while HC Jesse Minter downplays concerns over Lamar Jackson’s availability.
Former NFL scout John Middlekauf declares the Pittsburgh Steelers a "playoff lock" after they start 5-2, citing their complementary football and Aaron Rodgers’ leadership. Speaking on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, Middlekauf praises Rodgers’ 1,699 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions through seven weeks, arguing his toughness will propel Pittsburgh into the postseason. The Steelers sit second in the AFC North behind the 5-2 Browns and ahead of the 4-2 Bengals and 4-3 Ravens, keeping the division race tight. If the team avoids major injuries, they could secure a playoff spot and break a nine‑year drought.
The Bengals vaulted from a bleak first half to a stunning 35‑0 run, beating the Ravens 38‑7 at M&T Bank Stadium on Oct. 25 and sparking talk of a mid‑season surge. Hosts John Sheeran and Anthony Cosenza break down the turnaround, assess the impact of playing without Lamar Jackson, and debate whether Cincinnati has found its stride. The discussion continues in the latest episode of The Orange and Black Insider’s “The Aftermath,” streaming Monday night at 6:45 pm ET and on demand.
The Steelers snap a 5-2 record after a 24‑17 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Paris, reigniting their AFC North title hopes. Veteran cornerback Bryant McFadden says Pittsburgh now has a "legit shot" at the division crown, despite early-season skepticism. He highlights the tight race: the Browns sit at 5-2, the Bengals at 4-2, and the Steelers are back in the mix. McFadden backs the team’s momentum and points to key defensive plays that could tilt the balance as the season heads toward its pivotal stretch.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase cement their legacy as one of the NFL’s all‑time great QB‑WR pairings after a dominant performance on October 26, 2026. Burrow, the former LSU Heisman winner, threw four second‑half touchdowns and amassed 292 yards, sparking the Bengals’ 35‑13 comeback victory. The article breaks down their chemistry, historical comparisons, and why their synergy could redefine Cincinnati’s championship aspirations.
After a 35-13 loss to the Bengals that exposed Baltimore's secondary, the Ravens bolster safety depth by signing veteran Rayshawn Jenkins. The 32‑year‑old, a 2017 fourth‑round pick, has logged 145 games (93 starts) with the Chargers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Browns and most recently the Steelers, where he played six games before being released. Jenkins brings 578 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and four forced fumbles to a defense that allowed Joe Burrow 294 yards and four touchdowns. The move aims to add veteran leadership as Baltimore sits 4‑3 heading into Week 8.
Former Steelers safety Rayshawn Jenkins signs with the Baltimore Ravens, marking his third AFC North stint after playing 17 games for the Browns in 2025. Jenkins, who joined Pittsburgh in training camp and appeared in six games before being released following a subpar performance against the Cleveland Browns, heads to Baltimore as the Ravens seek to rebound from back‑to‑back divisional defeats, including a 35-13 loss to the Bengals in Week 7.
Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter offers a vague update on quarterback Lamar Jackson ahead of a crucial road clash with the Buffalo Bills. Jackson, sidelined by a high‑ankle sprain for his third consecutive game, is described as being in a “decent spot” for Sunday, but the team won’t have a definitive status until Wednesday. The Ravens, coming off a second straight loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and now sitting last in the AFC North, hope to rebound against the Bills at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, signs with rivals the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 32‑year‑old, a 10‑year NFL veteran who started 92 games, provides depth after the Ravens’ secondary struggled in a 284‑yard loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Jenkins played six games (one start) for the Steelers this season, recording 16 tackles and allowing 120 yards and a touchdown. He previously appeared in all 17 games for the Cleveland Browns last year with 45 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass defended. The move sets up a Week 15 showdown in Pittsburgh and a Week 18 visit to Baltimore.
Stephen A. Smith breaks down what he sees as Baltimore Ravens' core issue, and it goes beyond one player's injury.