Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals

The 2024 NFL season has been defined by the Cincinnati Bengals’ struggle with turnovers—a flaw that their AFC North rivals, especially the Baltimore Ravens, have exploited to gain critical wins and tighten their grip on the division race. Through 13 games, the Bengals have committed 23 turnovers (14 interceptions, 9 fumbles), ranking them 28th in the NFL in turnover margin (-8). For rivals like the Ravens, these turnovers aren’t just mistakes—they’re gifts: opportunities to shift momentum, score easy points, and derail the Bengals’ offensive rhythm. What makes this dynamic so impactful is the Ravens’ ability to turn Bengals’ miscues into points at a historic rate, turning close games into decisive victories. Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals examines the Bengals’ turnover problem, how the Ravens have mastered the art of capitalizing on them, and why this trend has become a defining factor in one of the NFL’s most intense rivalries.

Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals first becomes apparent in the Bengals’ pattern of costly turnovers in high-pressure moments—a habit that has repeatedly handed the Ravens opportunities to seize control. The Bengals’ struggles are most pronounced with quarterback Joe Burrow, who has thrown 12 of the team’s 14 interceptions, often forcing passes into tight coverage when under pressure. In their Week 5 matchup against the Ravens, Burrow’s third-quarter interception to Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was a turning point: the Bengals were leading 17-14 and driving for a potential touchdown when Burrow tried to hit Ja’Marr Chase in double coverage, only for Hamilton to step in and return the pick 25 yards to the Bengals’ 30-yard line. Three plays later, Derrick Henry scored a 1-yard touchdown to give the Ravens a 21-17 lead they never surrendered. “Turnovers in the red zone or when you’re leading are backbreakers,” said NFL analyst Brian Billick, a former Ravens head coach. “The Bengals have a knack for giving the ball away at the worst possible times, and teams like the Ravens know exactly how to punish them for it.” The Bengals’ fumbling issues are equally problematic: running back Joe Mixon has lost 4 fumbles this season, including one in the fourth quarter of their Week 12 loss to the Ravens that sealed Baltimore’s 24-17 win.

A key reason the Ravens have been so effective at capitalizing on the Bengals’ turnovers is their league-leading ability to convert takeaways into points—a skill honed by their defensive and offensive coordination. The Ravens rank second in the NFL in points off turnovers (148), averaging 11.4 points per game from takeaways—more than a third of their total scoring output (386 points). What sets them apart is their efficiency: 78% of their takeaways this season have led to scores, compared to the league average of 52%. In their two 2024 matchups against the Bengals, the Ravens turned 5 Bengals turnovers into 31 points—nearly half of their total scoring in those games (65 points). “We practice turnover scenarios every week,” Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said. “Our defense knows that a takeaway isn’t enough—we need to put the offense in a position to score quickly. That means limiting penalties, making smart returns, and communicating with the offense to let them know what’s coming.” The Ravens’ offense has also done its part: Lamar Jackson has thrown 4 touchdown passes off turnovers this season, and the team has averaged just 2.3 plays per scoring drive following a takeaway—one of the fastest rates in the NFL. This combination of defensive aggression and offensive efficiency has made the Ravens the Bengals’ worst nightmare when it comes to turnovers.

A defining aspect of Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals is the specific defensive strategies the Baltimore Ravens use to force Bengals turnovers—tactics tailored to exploit Cincinnati’s weaknesses. The Ravens have learned to target Burrow’s tendency to hold onto the ball too long: they’ve blitzed him on 42% of his dropbacks in their matchups, forcing him to make rushed decisions that lead to interceptions or fumbles. In Week 12, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith recorded a strip-sack of Burrow, forcing a fumble that defensive end Justin Madubuike recovered and returned 18 yards for a touchdown—giving the Ravens a 17-14 lead. The Ravens also use “bait coverage” against Chase and Tee Higgins: they’ll let the Bengals’ wide receivers get open short, then have a safety or linebacker lurk in the middle of the field to intercept Burrow’s second read. “We study the Bengals’ tendencies religiously,” Smith said. “We know Burrow likes to go to Chase when he’s under pressure, and we know Mixon has a habit of carrying the ball loose. We design our game plan around those weaknesses.” For the Baltimore Ravens, these strategies aren’t just about winning one game—they’re about building a psychological edge: the Bengals now enter every matchup knowing the Ravens are waiting to pounce on their mistakes, which can lead to even more turnovers as players try to avoid making errors.

Another layer of this dynamic is how the Ravens’ turnover success against the Bengals has shaped the AFC North standings—giving Baltimore a critical edge in the division race. The Ravens have won both of their 2024 matchups against the Bengals, and turnovers were the difference in both games: in Week 5, they won by 7 points (28-21) and scored 14 points off 3 Bengals turnovers; in Week 12, they won by 7 points (24-17) and scored 17 points off 2 turnovers. Without those points from turnovers, both games would have been ties or Bengals wins—meaning the Ravens would be tied with the Bengals for first place in the AFC North instead of leading by two games. “Turnovers against the Bengals have been the difference between winning and losing for us,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “In a division as tight as the AFC North, every point matters, and getting easy points from turnovers can be the deciding factor in the division title.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this success also gives them a tiebreaker edge: if the two teams end up with the same record at the end of the season, the Ravens’ head-to-head win streak (now three games) and turnover margin against Cincinnati will secure them the division title. This stakes only heighten the Bengals’ pressure to avoid turnovers—and the Ravens’ motivation to force them.

Wrapping up Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals is the long-term impact of this dynamic on the Ravens-Bengals rivalry—a trend that has shifted the balance of power in Baltimore’s favor. For years, the rivalry was defined by close, back-and-forth games, but the Ravens’ ability to exploit the Bengals’ turnovers has turned it into a more one-sided contest: Baltimore has won five of their last six matchups, and turnovers have played a role in every win. This success has also boosted the Ravens’ confidence: they now enter every Ravens-Bengals game expecting to force turnovers, while the Bengals enter with the weight of past mistakes hanging over them. “The Ravens know how to get in our heads when it comes to turnovers,” Burrow admitted after the Week 12 loss. “They’re aggressive, they study our tendencies, and they make you pay for every mistake. It’s a tough environment to play in.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this isn’t just about beating a rival—it’s about establishing dominance in the AFC North and positioning themselves for a deep playoff run. As the Bengals try to fix their turnover problem, the Ravens will continue to refine their strategies to exploit it, ensuring that turnovers remain a defining factor in this historic rivalry. Ultimately, Bengals' Turnovers Capitalized On by the Baltimore Ravens Rivals is a lesson in how a single flaw—if not fixed—can be exploited by a rival to reshape the course of a season, a division, and a rivalry.