AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens

As the NFL regular season winds down, AFC contenders are increasingly turning their attention to a potential playoff opponent that has long been a thorn in their side: the Baltimore Ravens. With the Ravens clinging to a wild-card spot and showing flashes of their championship-caliber potential—led by Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability and a defense that can still dominate on its best days—teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals are already studying film and adjusting strategies for a possible postseason showdown. For these contenders, a matchup with the Ravens isn’t just another game; it’s a test of whether their offenses can handle Baltimore’s pressure and their defenses can contain Jackson and Derrick Henry. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens explores which teams are most focused on the Ravens, what they fear most about facing them, and how they’re preparing to counter Baltimore’s biggest strengths.

The Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions and AFC West leaders, are among the most vocal about their preparation for a potential Ravens matchup. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently acknowledged that his staff has been “breaking down every Ravens game” to find ways to neutralize Jackson’s running threat—a challenge that has plagued Kansas City in past meetings. In their 2023 matchup, Jackson rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, leading the Ravens to a 36-35 win. “Lamar changes everything,” Reid said. “You can’t just defend the pass with him—you have to account for his legs on every play, which stretches your defense thin.” The Chiefs are also concerned about Henry, who has a history of dominating against Kansas City’s run defense (he rushed for 116 yards in their last meeting). To counter, the Chiefs are practicing more “spy” defenses—having a linebacker shadow Jackson on every play—and working on ways to clog running lanes for Henry. For the Chiefs, a playoff matchup with the Ravens would be a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, adding extra stakes to a rivalry that has already produced some of the most exciting games in recent NFL history. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens emphasizes that the Chiefs see the Ravens as one of the few teams capable of derailing their quest for a repeat, making this a matchup they’re taking very seriously.

The Buffalo Bills, another top AFC contender, are also zeroing in on the Ravens as a potential playoff opponent—especially after their narrow 23-19 loss to Baltimore earlier this season. Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has been vocal about the challenges of defending the Ravens’ offense, noting that “their ability to mix run and pass with Lamar and Henry is unlike anything else in the league.” In their earlier matchup, the Bills held Jackson to just 54 rushing yards but struggled to contain Henry, who rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown. Frazier has since adjusted the Bills’ defense, adding more packages that use two defensive linemen and five linebackers to clog running lanes and limit Jackson’s scrambling room. The Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen, is also preparing for the Ravens’ pass rush, which has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks (Jeffery Simmons has 3 sacks in his last two games). “We know the Ravens will bring pressure,” Allen said. “We’re working on quick passes and screen plays to beat that pressure and get the ball to our playmakers in space.” For the Bills, a playoff matchup with the Ravens would be a chance to avenge their regular-season loss and prove they can handle one of the AFC’s most dynamic offenses. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens highlights that the Bills see a Ravens matchup as a litmus test for their championship credentials.

The Baltimore Ravens’ divisional rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, are perhaps the most familiar with Baltimore’s strengths and weaknesses—and they’re already gearing up for a potential third matchup this season. The Bengals have beaten the Ravens twice this year, including a 27-17 win in Week 12 where Joe Burrow threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor credits their success to “game-planning specifically for Lamar and Henry,” noting that the Bengals have used a mix of zone coverage and blitzes to force Jackson into bad decisions. “We know Lamar likes to scramble to his right, so we’ve been practicing ways to funnel him to our left, where we have more defenders waiting,” Taylor said. The Bengals are also preparing for Henry’s physical running style, with defensive tackle DJ Reader saying the team is “hitting the weight room extra hard to make sure we can stop him at the line.” For the Baltimore Ravens, a playoff matchup with the Bengals would be a chance to avenge their divisional losses and reclaim control of the AFC North narrative. For the Bengals, it would be an opportunity to prove their dominance over a rival and solidify their status as a top AFC contender. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens shows that the Baltimore Ravens’ history with the Bengals adds an extra layer of intensity to this potential playoff matchup.

The Miami Dolphins, who are fighting for a wild-card spot alongside the Baltimore Ravens, are also viewing a potential matchup with Baltimore as a make-or-break moment for their playoff hopes. The Dolphins’ high-powered offense, led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, has the ability to score quickly—but they’re well aware of the Ravens’ ability to control the clock with Henry’s running. “The Ravens can wear you down with their run game, which limits the number of possessions we get,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. “We’re practicing ways to score quickly and force turnovers, so we can keep up with their pace.” The Dolphins’ defense is also preparing for Jackson, with cornerback Xavien Howard saying the team is “working on staying disciplined in coverage, so we don’t let him escape and make big plays with his legs.” For the Baltimore Ravens, a playoff matchup with the Dolphins would be a test of their pass defense, which has struggled against fast, explosive receivers like Hill. For the Dolphins, it would be a chance to prove their offense can outmatch one of the AFC’s most physical teams. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens underscores that the Baltimore Ravens’ ability to slow down the Dolphins’ offense would be the key to a win in this potential matchup.

Finally, the Cleveland Browns, who are also in the thick of the AFC wild-card race, are seeing a potential matchup with the Baltimore Ravens as an opportunity to settle a divisional score. The Browns beat the Ravens 33-31 in Week 10, with Deshaun Watson throwing for 213 yards and two touchdowns, but they know Baltimore will be a different team in the playoffs. “The Ravens always play harder in the postseason,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We’re preparing for a more disciplined, more physical version of them—especially on defense.” The Browns are focusing on improving their run defense, which allowed Henry to rush for 112 yards in their earlier matchup, and working on ways to limit Jackson’s scrambling. For the Baltimore Ravens, a playoff matchup with the Browns would be a chance to avenge their Week 10 loss and show they can win a close, physical game. For the Browns, it would be a chance to prove they’re no longer the little brother in the AFC North. AFC Contenders Eye Matchups with the Baltimore Ravens concludes that the Baltimore Ravens are viewed by most AFC contenders as a dangerous playoff opponent—one that has the talent, experience, and resilience to upset any team on any given day. As the regular season ends and the playoffs begin, all eyes will be on Baltimore to see if the Ravens can live up to that reputation—and if AFC contenders can execute their game plans well enough to stop them.