The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was simply their best of the season. They shut out Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the first time in his NFL career, taking home a 24-0 victory.
The offense only had the ball for just over 20 minutes, but still amassed over 300 total yards. On defense, they allowed Cincinnati to put together long drives, but made plays when they mattered most. Tight coverage, pressures, forced turnovers, you name it, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit did it.
It was a complete 180 from where the Ravens were in the past two weeks. After winning five straight games, the team dropped two straight in ugly fashion to the Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. With their backs against the wall this past Sunday, they were up to the challenge.
Despite sitting a game back of the Steelers for the division lead, they still control their own destiny. Their Week 15 win got them back on track at the perfect time.
The win was also the embodiment of practice making perfect, as by all accounts, the Ravens had their best practice week of the year. In turn, they played their best game of the season.
Common theme to Ravens postgame was that this was the best practice week Ravens had all season. Marlon Humphrey said he was sore after a Friday practice, which doesn't usually happen. He said that bodies were flying everywhere and guys were getting after each other.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 14, 2025
Ravens play best game of the year at perfect moment
Baltimore not only eliminated Cincinnati from playoff contention on Sunday, but they also kept the pressure on Pittsburgh. Both teams are hoping to play perfect ball ahead of their head-to-head matchup in Week 18, and with the way the Ravens played this past weekend, you can tell the momentum is shifting ever so slightly. Obviously, the Steelers hold the advantage, but the second-place team is creeping up.
Following the game, Head Coach John Harbaugh could not have been prouder of the way his group reacted to facing adversity.
“I’m really proud of the effort and the way they stick together,” Harbaugh said. “That was our best football game of the year…Coming off our best week of practice, and we’ve had good weeks of practice, but this was another level. At this point in time, to see that is really what is impressive about these guys.”
Late in the year, days can get tough. Players are tired and beaten up after a long season, but given the position the Ravens put themselves in, it needs to be all gas and no brakes. Clearly, they were firing on all cylinders this week.
In Week 16, a Sunday Night Football showdown against an 11-3 New England Patriots team awaits. The road to the playoffs will not get any easier, and Baltimore needs to replicate its Week 15 success to keep their postseason hopes alive.