8+1 storylines to follow before the Ravens face the Bengals in Week 2
![AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4328,h_2434,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/26/01ha8yd1sjzg4hn3qbhg.jpg)
4. The Ravens have lost in their last three visits to Cincinnati
This sounds bad, very bad, but the fact that Jackson didn't start any of those games is what you should really pay attention to.
As we already discussed in the first three points, the Ravens are facing history this weekend and they will do so with Lamar Jackson starting the game in the Flock's pocket.
The Ravens dropped two regular-season games in 2021 (21-41) and 2023 (17-18) before losing a postseason game last January (17-24) just days after getting defeated on the road in Cincy to wrap up the regular season.
Josh Johnson was the starter in 2021 completing 28 of 40 passes for 304 yards that day, connecting for 2 TDs, and getting picked once while fumbling twice.
Now-released Anthony Brown started last January's regular-season matchup going 19-of-44 for 286 and no touchdowns against two interceptions, fumbling (and losing it) once.
Then, in the playoffs, Tyler Huntley was the Ravens starter and he completed a measly 17 passes for 226 yards, two scores, against one interception and one fumble lost. He rushed the rock for 54 yards on nine carries, but that fumble murdered the chances of Baltimore advancing.