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Cincinnati Bengals Have Ravens Number

By Chris Schisler

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) breaks a tackle from Baltimore Ravens defensive back Shareece Wright (35) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) breaks a tackle from Baltimore Ravens defensive back Shareece Wright (35) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens may consider the Pittsburgh Steelers as their biggest rival but it has been the Cincinnati Bengals that have been the biggest thorn in the Ravens feathers in recent years.

The Bengals have won six of the past seven games against the Ravens. Figuring out their problem with the Bengals (a team they play twice every season) is paramount for the Ravens.

The Ravens and Bengals have had some good battles in this stretch of Bengals dominance. That being said Marvin Lewis’s team clearly has the Ravens pegged. This could not have been more evident in week three of the 2015 season.

The Ravens had just scored a defensive touchdown and had taken the lead. The Bengals knew Dean Pees plays conservatively with a lead. Pees had the Ravens drop into a soft cover 3. The Bengals lined up A.J. Green in the slot and threw it to him right down the seam. Green took off and scored an easy touchdown. The Bengals knew exactly shat was coming from the Ravens defense and they dialed up a perfect play.

The Ravens need to take care of buisiness in the AFC North. The most secure route to the playoffs is winning the division. Getting swept by a division rival is not a good way to get that done. Now the Ravens were not winning the division no matter what this past season, but how many times have the Bengals given Baltimore problems.

The 2013 finale is a great example. The Ravens did themselves no favors and needed help to get into the playoffs, when week 17 arrived. Somehow the stars aligned and the Ravens got the help they needed around the league. The problem is that the Ravens could not help themselves. The Ravens lost their final game 34-17. The Bengals knocked their purple rival out of postseason contention.

The last time the Ravens beat the Bengals it required overtime. The only reason it went to overtime was a deep A.J. Green touchdown pass at the end of regulation. How many times can that happen? Even when the Ravens outplay the Bengals, they have to make it hard.

Next: Ravens Mock Draft: Noah Spence Is A Raven

The 2016 Ravens expect once again to fight for a playoff spot. The Ravens have to figure out how to beat their division foe in Cincinnati. History shows that their season could depend on it.

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