The AFC North is basically a meat grinder. It’s loud, it’s violent, and by the time November rolls around, somebody is usually limping. But the Bengals vs Ravens 2023 series wasn't just another chapter in a divisional spat. It was a season-defining, trajectory-altering sequence of events that left one team in the Super Bowl conversation and the other wondering if their championship window just got slammed on their fingers.
When people talk about the 2023 season, they usually focus on Lamar Jackson’s second MVP run. Honestly, though? You can't tell that story without looking at what happened when these two teams met. It was the best of times for Baltimore and, quite literally, the most painful of times for Cincinnati.
The Week 2 Heartbreaker at Paycor
Early season games are usually for shaking off the rust. Not this one. On September 17, 2023, the Ravens marched into Cincinnati and basically told the Bengals that the division wasn't going to be handed over. Joe Burrow was already playing on a calf that looked like it was made of wet cardboard. You could see it in his movement—or lack thereof. He was a statue.
Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, was doing Lamar things. He didn't put up 400 yards, but he didn't have to. He was efficient, hitting 24 of 33 passes. The Ravens walked away with a 27-24 win.
The Bengals' defense actually played okay, but they couldn't get off the field. Baltimore controlled the clock for over 30 minutes. It felt like a slow burn. Cincinnati fans were worried, and rightfully so. Going 0-2 to start the season is bad; going 0-2 with your franchise QB looking like he’s running in sand is a nightmare.
Why this game mattered more than the score
- The Calf Factor: Burrow’s mobility was zero. This allowed the Ravens to pin their ears back and rush four.
- Geno Stone’s Rise: Most people forget Geno Stone had a massive interception in the red zone during the third quarter. It flipped the momentum entirely.
- Rushing Dominance: Even without a "star" back leading the charge (Justice Hill and Gus Edwards shared the load), the Ravens ran for nearly 180 yards.
The Night Everything Broke: Week 11
If Week 2 was a warning, the November 16 matchup was a catastrophe for the Queen City. Thursday Night Football under the lights in Baltimore. The atmosphere was electric. But about halfway through the second quarter, the air sucked right out of M&T Bank Stadium—and every living room in Ohio.
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Joe Burrow threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Joe Mixon. A beautiful play. But as he walked off the field, he was clutching his right wrist. He tried to throw a practice ball on the sideline and it just... fell. He couldn't grip it. He went to the locker room, and he didn't come back.
The Bengals vs Ravens 2023 rivalry changed in that specific moment.
We later found out it was a torn ligament in his wrist. Season over. Career-altering surgery incoming. The Ravens went on to win 34-20, but the score was secondary to the medical reports. Baltimore moved to 8-3, essentially locking up the division race, while the Bengals fell to 5-5 with a backup quarterback named Jake Browning suddenly holding the keys to the kingdom.
A Brutal Night for Everyone
It wasn't just Burrow. The Ravens lost Mark Andrews to a horrific ankle injury on the very first drive. Logan Wilson (who is a tackling machine, by the way) brought him down with a hip-drop tackle that the NFL eventually banned because of plays exactly like this one.
So you had the Bengals losing their QB1 and the Ravens losing their favorite safety valve. It was a pyrrhic victory for Baltimore. Sure, they won the game and eventually the AFC North, but they lost the soul of their passing game for months.
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Lamar Jackson’s Statement Performance
Lost in the injury drama was how well Lamar Jackson actually played in the second game. He finished with a 121.3 passer rating. He threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while adding 54 on the ground. People often say Lamar can't pass in big moments, which is just objectively wrong.
He was carving up the Bengals' secondary. Nelson Agholor caught a 37-yard touchdown that was basically a laser beam. Odell Beckham Jr. actually looked like the 2016 version of himself for a few plays, racking up 116 yards on just four catches.
The Ravens' offense under Todd Monken was finally "clicking." They weren't just running the ball into a wall anymore. They were explosive. They were vertical. They were dangerous.
What We Learned from Bengals vs Ravens 2023
Looking back, those two games told us three major things about the state of the AFC North:
- Depth is a Myth: You can have all the "depth" in the world, but if your elite QB goes down, your season is a zombie. The Bengals fought hard with Jake Browning—who actually played surprisingly well down the stretch—but they weren't a Super Bowl threat anymore.
- The Ravens' Defense was Historic: Kyle Hamilton was everywhere in 2023. Roquan Smith was a heat-seeking missile. In that second game, they sacked Bengals quarterbacks five times. You can't beat Baltimore if you can't protect the pocket.
- Health is a Skill: Or maybe just luck. The Ravens stayed healthy enough (at least at QB) to secure the #1 seed. The Bengals didn't. In the NFL, the best ability is availability.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think the Bengals lost because they were "figured out." That's not true. They lost because their offensive line couldn't protect a hobbled Burrow in Week 2, and then Burrow’s body simply gave out in Week 11.
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Another weird take? That the Ravens only won because Burrow got hurt. Baltimore was already leading or trading blows when those injuries happened. They were the better team in 2023, period.
The Fallout and Future
The Bengals vs Ravens 2023 series set the stage for what we’re seeing now. It forced the Bengals to rethink their offensive line (again) and it proved that Lamar Jackson’s MVP ceiling is higher than almost anyone’s.
If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager, the takeaway is simple: never underestimate the violence of a Thursday night divisional game. These games have a way of ruinous outcomes.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Review the 2023 Injury Reports: If you want to understand the current 2024/2025 roster builds, look at who was missing during these games.
- Watch the Monken Tape: Go back and watch how the Ravens used Zay Flowers and OBJ in that Week 11 game; it’s the blueprint for their current offensive identity.
- Keep an eye on Joe Burrow's wrist: Even in 2024 and 2025, that Week 11 injury is the benchmark for his recovery. Any hitch in his throw usually traces back to that rainy night in Baltimore.
The rivalry is far from over, but 2023 was the year the Ravens finally reclaimed the throne with authority. The Bengals are still chasing them, trying to find the magic they had in 2021, but until they can sweep the North again, Baltimore remains the standard.