If you’re looking for a normal, predictable football game, don’t look at the AFC North. Specifically, don't look at Cincinnati and Baltimore. The most recent bengals vs ravens score was a 24-0 shutout in favor of the Ravens on December 14, 2025. It was a freezing Sunday in Cincinnati, and honestly, it felt even colder for Bengals fans watching Joe Burrow get shut out for the first time in his professional career as a starter.
Football is usually a game of inches. This rivalry? It's a game of mood swings.
Just a few weeks before that shutout, on Thanksgiving night, the Bengals absolutely dismantled the Ravens 32-14. It was Burrow's big "I'm back" moment after dealing with injuries, and the Ravens turned the ball over five times. Five! You don't see Lamar Jackson-led teams cough it up like that often. But that's the thing about this matchup—momentum doesn't just shift; it evaporates.
Breaking Down the Recent Bengals vs Ravens Score
Let’s talk about that December 14th game. 24-0. The Ravens didn't just win; they physically dominated. Lamar Jackson wasn't even putting up video-game numbers—he threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns—but he didn't have to. The Baltimore defense lived in the Bengals' backfield. They sacked Burrow three times and forced a back-breaking pick-six in the fourth quarter.
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Kyle Van Noy tipped a pass, it ended up with Alohi Gilman, and 84 yards later, the game was over.
What happened on Thanksgiving?
The script was totally flipped on November 27, 2025. The bengals vs ravens score of 32-14 was a masterclass in opportunistic defense. The Ravens entered that game on a five-game winning streak. They looked invincible. Then they fumbled three times in the first half alone.
- Evan McPherson was the MVP of that night, kicking six field goals.
- Tanner Hudson caught a ridiculous one-handed touchdown.
- Ja’Marr Chase did Ja’Marr Chase things, racking up 110 yards.
It’s wild how two teams can play each other twice in less than a month and look like completely different species each time.
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The 2024 Shootouts: When Defense Didn't Exist
If the 2025 games were about defense and turnovers, 2024 was about pure, unadulterated chaos. On October 6, 2024, the Ravens won a 41-38 overtime thriller. Burrow threw five touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase had 193 yards. And the Bengals still lost because Justin Tucker decided to be Justin Tucker, nailing a 56-yarder to force OT and a 24-yarder to win it.
Then came the Thursday Night Football game in November 2024. Final score: 35-34, Ravens.
This was the game where Zac Taylor decided to go for two to win it with 38 seconds left. Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson fell incomplete, and the internet exploded debating whether there was a defensive holding call missed. (Spoiler: There probably was, but that's life in the AFC North). Chase was superhuman that night with 264 yards and three touchdowns. Imagine putting up those numbers and losing. Twice.
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Why the Ravens have the edge
Statistically, the Ravens have taken a lead in the all-time series, sitting at 33-28. They’ve managed to win most of the close ones lately. It’s not just about Lamar Jackson’s legs anymore. It’s about John Harbaugh’s ability to adjust when the game turns into a street fight.
Keys to the Rivalry Moving Forward
The bengals vs ravens score usually comes down to three things: Burrow’s health, Lamar’s ball security, and whoever has the last possession.
- The Turnover Bug: In their 2025 split, the winner was simply the team that didn't gift the ball away. Baltimore’s five turnovers on Thanksgiving were an anomaly, but Cincinnati’s inability to protect Burrow in the December shutout was a glaring issue.
- The Ja’Marr Chase Factor: He is the "Raven Killer." Even in losses, his stats against Baltimore are hall-of-fame worthy. If the Ravens don't double-team him every snap, he breaks the game.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Bengals struggled inside the 20-yard line in their recent shutout loss. You can’t trade field goals for touchdowns against a guy like Lamar Jackson.
What to Watch for in 2026
We’re heading into a new cycle of this rivalry. The 2025 season saw these teams split the series 1-1, but the "vibes" feel different. The Ravens are chasing their third straight AFC North title, while the Bengals are trying to prove their window hasn't slammed shut.
If you're betting on the next bengals vs ravens score, don't look at the previous game's stats. They don't matter. This rivalry is emotional, loud, and usually ends with someone's heart being broken on a final drive.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Track the Injury Report: This rivalry is physically taxing. Both teams often have "hangover" games the following week because of how hard they hit.
- Check the Weather: As we saw in the 2025 shutout, frigid temperatures in Cincinnati heavily favor the Ravens' rushing attack over the Bengals' vertical passing game.
- Watch the Safeties: Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton and Cincinnati's Geno Stone (a former Raven himself) are often the ones making the decisive plays that don't show up in the box score but determine the final margin.
The next time these two meet, expect the unexpected. Whether it’s a 40-point explosion or a 24-0 defensive grind, it’s the best television the NFL has to offer right now.