Stephen A. Smith reveals Ravens’ biggest problem after loss to Bengals
Stephen A. Smith breaks down what he sees as Baltimore Ravens' core issue, and it goes beyond one player's injury.
Latest news and updates about the Bengals
Stephen A. Smith breaks down what he sees as Baltimore Ravens' core issue, and it goes beyond one player's injury.
PFF's NFL Week 7 player grades highlight the highest-graded qualifying performers from 13 completed games of the 2026 season. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman led all players with a 94.3 overall PFF grade, while Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow topped his position with a 93.7 grade.
After a shaky start, the Pittsburgh Steelers rally with three straight wins to sit 5-2 and share the AFC North lead, putting them in a prime position as the season hits its crucial stretch. ESPN Analytics now predicts the Cincinnati Bengals are the clear favorite to claim the division, highlighting the Steelers' need to keep stacking victories to stay ahead.
PFF's NFL Week 7 Team of the Week features Joe Burrow, Blake Cashman and other standout performers across offense, defense and special teams. Burrow earned a 93.7 PFF grade for Cincinnati, while Cashman led NFL defenders with a 94.3 grade for Minnesota.
The Ravens tumble 35-0 in the second half to fall 35-21 to the Bengals, marking their second straight AFC North loss. Analysts blame a lack of defensive leadership and sloppy second‑half play‑calling by coordinator Jesse Minter, noting the unit’s failure to pressure Joe Burrow and communicate in coverage. Offensively, short‑yardage woes persist as Derrick Henry struggles, prompting calls for a power back upgrade. The piece highlights veteran gaps, coaching lapses, and the urgent need for a more aggressive defensive scheme.
The Falcons pull off a statement 24-15 win over the previously unbeaten 49ers in Week 7. After trailing 14-3, Michael Penix Jr. sparks a comeback with three touchdown passes—two to Nick Muse and Kyle Pitts—while the defense forces crucial turnovers, including a game‑changing interception by rookie Kendal Daniels. A late field goal by Nick Folk seals the victory, giving Atlanta a 3-2 record since Penix returned and reviving hopes of ending the playoff drought that began in 2017. The win comes amid a tough schedule that still includes the Packers, Ravens, Bucs, Chiefs, Bengals, Vikings and Lions.
Who Should I Drop? Who Should I Keep? Some of the most common Week 8 fantasy football cut candidates include […]
Vice President JD Vance praised the Cincinnati Bengals after they erased a 13‑0 hole to rout the Baltimore Ravens 35‑0 in Week 7. Vance highlighted wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, noting the gesture made his six‑year‑old’s year. Joe Burrow threw for 292 yards and four scores, while Tee Higgins added 148 yards and a touchdown. The VP had visited Bengals practice earlier in the week, and his social‑media shout‑out underscores growing optimism that Cincinnati could make a playoff run.
The Bengals, rattled by early-season setbacks and a 13‑0 halftime hole against the Ravens, explode in the second half, scoring 35 unanswered points to win the divisional clash. Joe Burrow throws for 292 yards and four TDs, while Tee Higgins adds 148 yards on six catches. New defensive additions Dexter Lawrence (now on a $28 M, one‑year extension) and Boye Mafe combine for 2.5 sacks. The comeback reasserts Cincinnati’s AFC North identity and echoes the “that’s who we are” mantra echoed by coach Zac Taylor. The victory lifts the Bengals to 4‑2 and signals a revived contender.
Cincinnati scored 35 straight after halftime in Baltimore, Tampa Bay put 26 on Carolina in one quarter, Atlanta handed San Francisco its first loss, the Giants won in overtime in Houston, and Seattle held Kansas City to a field goal. Here is every Sunday final with its box score.
The Bengals pull off a dramatic comeback over the Ravens on Oct. 25, 2026, scoring 35 second‑half points after a sluggish first half. Joe Burrow sparks the turnaround with a series of precise throws to Mike Gesicki, while Ja’Marr Chase’s intense play energizes the offense. Defensive star Dexter Lawrence caps the win with a key sack and a late stop on Tyler Huntley. Despite early offensive misfires and third‑down struggles, Cincinnati rallies to a statement victory that showcases its explosive potential.
After the Ravens’ 35-13 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, former Bengal defensive end Trey Hendrickson warned his new team that they’re slipping below their own “standard.” Hendrickson, who left Cincinnati for Baltimore this offseason, highlighted the Ravens’ habit of building early leads only to collapse in the second half and stressed the need for consistent preparation. He also pointed out his own slow start—two sacks in five games versus the 17.5‑sack seasons he posted in Cincinnati—while teammate Roquan Smith echoes the call for steadier play.
After blowing a 13-0 lead to lose 35-13 to the Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens have suffered back‑to‑back second‑half collapses, the latest dropping them to 4‑3. Linebacker Roquan Smith says the team must chase consistency, noting a missing piece that shows up only sporadically. With quarterback Lamar Jackson still out, the Ravens start strong under Tyler Huntley but falter after halftime, a pattern also seen in a recent 13-10 loss to the Browns. Smith urges the defense—and the entire squad—to take accountability and sustain effort quarter‑by‑quarter as they head to Buffalo to face Josh Allen’s Bills next week.
NFL insider Jay Glazer says Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson may be just one week from returning, but the team refuses to rush a player whose mobility is essential to his game. Jackson missed Week 7 against the Bengals due to a painful ankle injury and, despite practicing Wednesday, still can't run with his usual freedom. Glazer explained on FOX NFL Kickoff that if Jackson were only a pocket passer he’d likely play, but the Ravens want to avoid exposing him to further harm. If the timeline holds, he could suit up for Week 8 versus the Buffalo Bills, with Tyler Huntley still filling in.
Looking to boost your fantasy lineup? The Game Haus highlights five under‑owned defenses to stream in Week 8. The Cincinnati Bengals (7th overall, 8.0 pts/game) face a low‑scoring Titans offense; Jacksonville Jaguars (17th, 5.7 pts) return from a bye against a struggling Colts unit; Washington Commanders (24th, 3.8 pts) take on an Eagles squad missing Jalen Hurts; Las Vegas Raiders (18th, 4.7 pts) meet the 27th‑ranked Jets; and the Green Bay Packers (9th, 6.3 pts) clash with a high‑scoring but turnover‑prone Panthers. All are owned in under 55% of ESPN leagues, making them smart waiver targets for Week 8.
A viral TikTok showing Antonio Brown with adult entertainers has reignited debate over his post‑NFL behavior and possible brain injury. Fans linked the clip to the 2015 AFC Wild Card hit by former Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who was suspended for three games after delivering a concussion‑causing blow to Brown. While the incident is documented, experts stress that a single concussion doesn’t prove CTE or explain Brown’s later actions, and no medical diagnosis exists. The article highlights how social media amplifies speculation about player safety and long‑term health.
The Ravens’ 28‑21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 25 sparks a heated post‑game debate. Fans and analysts blame a rash of short‑yardage blunders, three false‑start penalties that turned a one‑yard gain into six, and missed connections from Tyler Huntley and Ja’Kobi Lane on a potential touchdown that Lamar Jackson might have finished. Coach Jesse Minter’s play‑calling, especially the overused two‑RB “pony” packages with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, failed to keep the Bengals’ defense honest. Meanwhile, pre‑snap penalties have surged to 12 in the past two weeks, far exceeding the acceptable window for a new staff. The piece dissects these issues in detail, offering fans a candid look at why Baltimore fell short.
The Baltimore Ravens have turned their once‑intimidating home field into a nightmare, losing five of their last six games at M&T Bank Stadium. Since 2022 they have blown ten double‑digit second‑half leads, including back‑to‑back collapses: a 13‑0 halftime lead turned into a 35‑13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 26, and a 10‑0 lead that became a 13‑10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 18. The team became the first in 76 years to lead by at least 13 at halftime and lose by 20 or more, a dubious record last set by the 1950 Baltimore Colts. The article details how the Ravens’ historic defensive identity has eroded, leaving fans fearing their own team’s second‑half performance.
Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the Cincinnati Bengals staged a historic comeback against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 26, 2026, scoring 35 unanswered points to win. Joe Burrow, after a 6-of-12 first‑half showing, went 16-of-18 for 249 yards and four TDs in the second half, connecting with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (six catches for 148 yards, one TD) and Mike Gesicki. The defense forced four sacks, an interception and two turnovers on downs, while limiting Derrick Henry to 2.6 yards per carry. The Bengals become only the 10th team ever shut out early yet to score 35+ in the second half, the most since the Vikings’ 39‑point rally in 2022.
The Bengals paid edge defender Boye Mafe a handsome contract in free agency, and performances like Week 7 against the Ravens reinforce their commitment.
Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the Bengals erupted for 35 second‑half points to beat the Ravens 49-33 on Oct. 26, 2026. Ja’Marr Chase admits his angry halftime speech ignited the comeback, urging the offense to step up. Joe Burrow responded with 292 yards, 22‑30 completions and four TD passes, while Tee Higgins logged six catches for 148 yards and a score. Chase added five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown, continuing his historic 117.1‑yard average against Baltimore. The Ravens, outgained 258‑59 in the first half, became the third team ever to lose by 20+ after a 13‑point halftime lead.
After falling behind 13-0 at halftime, the Cincinnati Bengals rallied to a 35-point second‑half surge and beat the Baltimore Ravens 35-13 on Oct. 25, 2026. Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase admitted he was furious with the first‑half effort and shouted a halftime wake‑up call, demanding someone make a play. The pep talk sparked a comeback as Joe Burrow threw for 292 yards and four touchdowns, with Tee Higgins (148 yards, TD), Chase (62 yards, TD) and others scoring. The win improves the Bengals’ 4‑2 record and keeps their playoff hopes alive as they prepare to host the Titans on Nov. 1.
After falling behind 13‑0 at halftime, Joe Burrow leads the Bengals to a 35‑13 rout of the Ravens, showcasing the offense’s aggressive identity. Burrow throws for 292 yards and four touchdowns, with Tee Higgins hauling in 148 yards and a score, Ja’Marr Chase adding another touchdown, and Samaje Perine contributing a rushing TD. Post‑game, Burrow declares the team “too many great players on offense to be conservative,” signaling a shift toward a more explosive approach as Cincinnati aims for a playoff return. The Bengals now sit 4‑2 and host the Titans in Week 8 on Nov. 1.
The Baltimore Ravens fell 14-13 to the Cincinnati Bengals after blowing a 13-0 halftime lead, prompting Hall of Famer Ed Reed to slam head coach Jesse Minter’s play‑calling on X. The turning point came on a fourth‑and‑2 in the fourth quarter when Minter elected to pass rather than run, resulting in an incomplete throw to tight end Josh Cuevas. The loss featured a second‑half shutout, Joe Burrow’s 249 yards and four touchdowns, and a muted Ravens offense—Derrick Henry managed just 45 rushing yards. Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle acknowledge the need for major adjustments before the next game.
After starting 3-0, the Las Vegas Raiders tumble to 3-4 following a 35-21 Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, pushing their playoff hopes toward the bottom of the AFC wild‑card race. The latest standings place them 10th, a game‑and‑a‑half behind the Bengals for the seventh seed and trailing the Patriots and Ravens, who hold the tiebreaker over Vegas. With a must‑win against the New York Jets next week, the Raiders face a de facto mid‑season elimination battle.