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The AFC North never stays quiet for long. The Baltimore Ravens are again being picked as the division favorites entering 2026, but that does not mean the path will be comfortable. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently served as Baltimore’s biggest roadblock, snatching the division crown after a season-ending victory that left Ravens fans grinding their teeth all offseason.

Now, another challenger is drawing attention. There is a growing theory, sometimes whispered and sometimes spoken more loudly, that the Cincinnati Bengals are finally positioned to make a serious move after aggressively retooling a defense that badly needed reinforcements. On paper, the optimism makes sense. Reality, however, still includes one rather inconvenient detail for Cincinnati.

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Lamar Jackson has spent most of his career tormenting the Bengals.

History remains firmly on the Baltimore Ravens’ side vs. the Bengals.

According to Jordan Schultz, Baltimore will travel to Cincinnati in Week 17 for a Thursday Night Football showdown that could carry massive AFC North implications. Perhaps league offices hope that this is the game that will decide the AFC North? That is the type of late-season heavyweight fight fans should circle immediately.

Sources: The #Bengals will host the #Ravens on Thursday Night Football in Week 17 on New Year’s Eve.

For four straight years, the Bengals have played the Ravens in Baltimore in primetime. This year, the flip is happening. 🐅😈 pic.twitter.com/C96oVIqU2L

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 14, 2026

Joe Burrow remains one of football’s elite quarterbacks. Ja’Marr Chase is capable of detonating secondaries almost single-handedly. Cincinnati’s offseason additions, including Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and rookie pass rusher Cashius Howell, suggest the Bengals are serious about fixing past defensive issues. Still, until proven otherwise, Lamar Jackson remains Cincinnati’s recurring nightmare.

Jackson owns an 11-3 career record against the Bengals. That includes a dominant 7-2 mark when Burrow starts opposite him. Even on the road, where hostile environments are supposed to matter more, Jackson has largely shrugged off the noise. That matters in rivalries that are as venomous as this one.

This does not mean Baltimore should stroll into Paycor Stadium expecting comfort.

The Bengals are dangerous. Burrow can absolutely trade haymakers with anyone. Chase remains a matchup nightmare, and Trey Hendrickson’s arrival gives Baltimore its own counterpunch against Cincinnati’s offense.

That is what makes this rivalry so compelling. The Bengals may finally have the roster to make life harder for Baltimore. Until they consistently prove they can solve Lamar Jackson, though, the AFC North still feels like Baltimore’s division to lose.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens still own Bengals rivalry entering 2026 season

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