The Baltimore Ravens know what a complete performance looks like if no other NFL team does. They've offered a few, and at times, they've had to explain why one didn't happen. The challenge for every NFL team, at some point, will be putting all three phases together and sustaining that level of play for four quarters. That's the kind of detail Jesse Minter's squad has chased all season.
Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals presents another opportunity to show that progress. Much of this week's discussion, particularly in press conferences, has focused on Lamar Jackson's availability and Trey Hendrickson facing his former team. Alas, Jackson is questionable, and Hendrickson is approaching this like any other gamewith huge expectationsand
no ill will towards anyone.
Baltimore's coaches and players have highlighted several areas that could make the difference, from handling Cincinnati's defensive front to creating more disruptive plays on defense. None of those factors guarantees a win, but together they offer a blueprint for the type of performance the Ravens need.
1. Make Cincinnati pay for loading the box against Derrick Henry
The Browns' approach exposed a recurring challenge for Baltimore's offense. When defenses commit extra bodies to stop Derrick Henry, the Ravens must exploit space elsewhere rather than repeatedly forcing the run into unfavorable numbers.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was among the coaches and players made available to the media on Thursday. He said Baltimore looks for complementary concepts, including play-action, movement, and screens, to counter aggressive run defense. Cincinnati's defensive front, led by Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, presents a difficult test, making it especially important for the Ravens to find answers when the Bengals prioritize stopping Henry.
Establishing the run remains important, but the offense must also capitalize when Cincinnati's defensive alignment creates opportunities elsewhere. If Baltimore can make the Bengalsrespect both the ground game and the passes that complement it, the offense will have a better chance to sustain drives.
2. Derrick Henry must protect the football
No one has taken Derrick Henry's most recent fumble harder than he has. He apologized to his teammates after Week 6's game, and he mentioned it again when he spoke with reporters on Thursday. He understands ball security is part of his responsibility, and his comments this week made it clear he hasn't brushed aside his error.
The veteran running back said he's working to learn from the mistake, improve his technique, and prevent it from happening again. That focus matters against a Cincinnati defense that has added significant size and disruption to its front.
Henry will face physical defenders who can make contact difficult to avoid, putting an added premium on securing the football through traffic. The Ravens need Henry's physical running style to help control the game, but they cannot afford to surrender possessions through preventable mistakes. Protecting the ball would help Baltimore finish drives and keep its offense in control of the game script.
3. Nate Wiggins and the secondary must limit explosive plays
Joe Burrow has the confidence to challenge opposing coverage, and Cincinnati has the receiving talent to make those decisions pay off. Marlon Humphrey acknowledged that the Bengals' passing attack will test Baltimore's entire secondary, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins capable of changing a game with a handful of plays.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said he expects Nate Wiggins to seize opportunities when Burrow targets his coverage. That confidence will matter, but Baltimore cannot rely on one cornerback to solve the matchup. The secondary must communicate, contest throws, and limit the explosive gains that allow Cincinnati to score quickly.
The objective isn't necessarily to eliminate every completion. Against a quarterback and receiving corps of this caliber, Baltimore needs to make the Bengals work for their yards and keep routine completions from turning into game-changing plays.
4. Baltimore needs someone to complement Trey Hendrickson's pass rush
Trey Hendrickson obviously adds an intriguing personal dimension to the matchup, but the more important question is whether Baltimore can generate consistent pressure from the other guys around him. With Tavius Robinson sidelined for the season, the Ravens need other defenders to maintain their pass rush.
Weaver has emphasized the need for the rushers to work together, particularly Hendrickson and Mike Green. Zion Young could also take on a larger role, giving Baltimore another option as it looks to pressure Burrow.
Coordinated rushes would make life harder for Cincinnati's offensive line and give the secondary a better chance to disrupt the passing game. Hendrickson can be a difference-maker, but Baltimore's defensive front will be more dangerous if opposing protections cannot focus solely on him.
5. Special teams and takeaways could swing the outcome
A complete performance requires more than offensive production and defensive stops. Special teams can change field position or create a momentum swing, while a timely takeaway can give the offense an extra possession in a game where scoring opportunities matter.
Special teams coordinator Anthony Levine faced questions this week about Tyler Loop and the field-goal operation, underscoring the focus on Baltimore's kicking game. The Ravens need reliable execution in those situations, particularly if the game comes down to a late scoring opportunity.
Meanwhile, Weaver and Humphrey have both identified takeaways as an area where the defense must improve. Baltimore needs to turn pressure and contested throws into opportunities to recover a fumble or intercept a pass. Combining sound special teams with a defense that can create turnovers would give the Ravens more ways to control the game's momentum.
A complete performance is the goal
The Ravens don't need every player to deliver a spectacular performance to beat Cincinnati. They do, however, need the team's different parts to complement one another. The offense must shift defensive attention away from Henry and create opportunities elsewhere.
The defense must limit explosive plays and generate takeaways. Special teams must avoid giving away valuable points or field position. Baltimore has identified the areas that need attention. The next step is making those priorities show up consistently on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Bengals: Ball security, pass rush headline five keys
