Football fans often get caught up in the jersey colors and the stadium lights, but when you look at the Cincinnati Bengals vs Las Vegas Raiders rivalry, it’s really a story about two franchises constantly trying to figure out who they are. Most people just see a score on a screen. Honestly? It's deeper than that. This matchup has historically been a weirdly accurate barometer for where both teams stand in the AFC pecking order. If you want to know if the Bengals are actually "back," or if the Raiders have finally found a defensive identity, you just look at their head-to-head tape.
The Most Recent Clash: Burrow’s Clinic at Paycor
The last time these two stepped onto the turf together on November 3, 2024, it wasn't even particularly close by the time the fourth quarter rolled around. Joe Burrow basically treated the Raiders' secondary like a high school scout team, tossing five touchdowns in a 41-24 blowout. It was one of those games where everything just clicked for Cincinnati.
Bengals fans had been waiting for a home win all season, and they finally got it in a big way.
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Why the Raiders Collapsed
Las Vegas didn't just lose; they sort of disintegrated. It started with injuries—three offensive linemen went down. You can’t win in the NFL with a patchwork line, especially when Trey Hendrickson is lining up on the other side. Hendrickson was a nightmare, racking up a career-high four sacks and a strip-sack that effectively ended any hope of a Raiders comeback.
- Joe Burrow Stats: 27/39, 251 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT.
- Chase Brown's Breakout: 120 rushing yards on 27 carries. He finally looked like the RB1 the Bengals needed.
- Mike Gesicki: 100 receiving yards and two scores.
The Raiders tried to rotate quarterbacks, moving from Gardner Minshew to Desmond Ridder, but it didn't matter. When your leading rusher is Alexander Mattison with only 36 yards, you're not going to beat a Burrow-led offense. It was a clinical execution that highlighted the massive gap in roster depth between the two teams at that moment.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
If you ask a casual fan about the Cincinnati Bengals vs Las Vegas Raiders history, they’ll probably mention the 2021 Wild Card game. You know, the one where the Bengals finally broke their 31-year playoff curse. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Historically, the Raiders actually lead the all-time series 24–14.
That’s a fact that surprises a lot of younger fans who only know the Raiders as a team struggling for a winning record. Back in the day—we're talking the 70s and 80s—the Raiders were the bullies of the AFC. They won 11 straight against Cincinnati at one point. But lately? The momentum has shifted entirely. Cincinnati has taken four of the last five meetings. It’s a complete reversal of power.
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The Maxx Crosby Factor
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning Maxx Crosby. In 2019, as a rookie, he had a "four-piece" (four sacks) against the Bengals. It was his coming-out party. Bengals fans still get a little nervous when he’s on the field because he plays with a motor that most offensive tackles just can't keep up with for 60 minutes.
Even in the 2024 loss, Crosby was the one guy Cincinnati had to circle on the whiteboard. He’s the heart of that Vegas defense, and without him, that 41-24 score might have been 50-10.
Looking Ahead to the 2025-2026 Landscape
The 2025 season was a rough one for both squads, let's be real. The Bengals finished 6-11, and the Raiders stumbled to a 3-14 record. By the time January 2026 rolled around, the Raiders were already looking for a new head coach after Pete Carroll's brief stint ended.
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This means the next time these teams meet, the context will be entirely different.
The Bengals are entering 2026 with a healthy Joe Burrow and a desperate need to fix a defense that gave up way too many points in 2025. Meanwhile, the Raiders are essentially hitting the reset button. There’s even wild speculation—multiverse-style trade rumors—about the Raiders moving heaven and earth to get a franchise QB like Burrow. It’s unlikely, sure, but it shows how much Vegas admires the blueprint Cincinnati built.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. Raiders Secondary: Chase has historically found soft spots in the Raiders' zone. If Vegas doesn't find a lockdown corner in the next draft, this remains a mismatch.
- The Trenches: The Raiders' offensive line was a sieve in their last meeting. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, they have to protect whoever is under center.
- Coaching Adjustments: With a new staff in Las Vegas for 2026, the "book" on how to beat the Raiders' defense is being rewritten. Zac Taylor won't have the same tendencies to exploit.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking the Cincinnati Bengals vs Las Vegas Raiders matchup for future seasons, keep these specific factors in mind:
- Check the Injury Report Early: This rivalry is often decided by who is healthy on the offensive line. The Raiders' 2024 collapse was directly tied to three starters leaving the game.
- Home Field Matters: The Bengals have found a real "Jungle" advantage at Paycor Stadium recently. They play faster and more aggressively at home.
- The "Revenge" Narrative: Maxx Crosby plays with a chip on his shoulder. After the 2024 blowout, expect him to be extra disruptive in the next meeting.
- Watch the Turnover Margin: In their last three meetings, the team that won the turnover battle won the game. It sounds like a cliché, but with Burrow’s efficiency, if the Raiders don't get at least two takeaways, they simply don't have the firepower to keep up.
The Bengals are currently the "big brother" in this matchup, but in the NFL, that status is always temporary. The Raiders have the draft capital and the cap space to flip the script by 2026. Keep an eye on the Raiders' coaching search results; the philosophy they bring in will dictate whether they can finally contain the Burrow-to-Chase connection that has haunted them for the last several years.
To stay ahead, focus on the Bengals' defensive secondary depth and the Raiders' quarterback stability. Those are the two hinges on which this entire rivalry swings. If Cincinnati doesn't shore up their defense, even a struggling Raiders offense could make things interesting. On the flip side, if Vegas doesn't find a permanent solution at QB, the Bengals will likely continue their recent dominance.