AFC North Preview Week 6: Ravens to host Battle of the Beltway; Bengals play in primetime

Taking a look ahead for the AFC North division in Week 6.

Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

The reigning AFC North champions are coming off their third straight win of the season in which they beat their division rival Cincinnati Bengals in an overtime thriller to move into first place in the standings. Now they will face one of their toughest opponents to date in the Washington Commanders who have been one of the biggest surprises of the season.

This will be the first regular-season edition of the Battle of the Beltway since the 2020 season and will mark the first head-to-head matchup between reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson and Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner Jayden Daniels. These two former Heisman trophy winners are two of the most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks to ever play in college and come into the league which could lead to another epic shootout.

The Ravens are entering this interconference regional rivalry game a little banged up with nearly a dozen players listed on Wednesday’s initial injury report. They had six nonparticipants who were held out of practice: wide receiver Rashod Bateman (groin), linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe), cornerback Arthur Maulet (knee/hamstring) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (knee).

Starting left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle) and rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) are in line to return to action as both were full participants. The three limited participants were tight end Charlie Kolar (toe), wide receiver/returner Deonte Harty (knee) and starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten (ankle/hand). On Thursday, offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (back) popped up as a non-participant while Bateman, Rosengarten, Humphrey and Stanley returned to practice as limited participants.

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

Even though they’re still technically tied for the top stop in the division standings with the Ravens, their second straight loss of the season last week to the Dallas Cowboys cost them sole possession. The Steelers will be looking to bounce back and end their losing streak after starting the season undefeated in a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders who are also looking to rebound from a loss in Week 4. This will mark the fourth straight season these two teams square off with the Steelers having on each of the last two matchups by less than a touchdown.

The Steelers are heading into this game pretty banged up with over a dozen players listed on Wednesday’s initial injury report. Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was a full participant on both days although all signs are still pointing to Justin Fields continuing to be the starter for a sixth week in a row. Those who did not participate in practice on one or both days include safety Damontae Kazee, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), outside linebacker Nick Herbig (ankle), running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) and defensive end DeMarvin Leal (neck).

Cleveland Browns (1-4)

With their losing streak extended to three straight after getting blown out by the Commanders last week, the Browns will wrap up their three-game road stint against the Philadelphia Eagles in an interconference matchup. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and woefully underperforming quarterback Deshaun Watson will be taking in a well-rested and highly motivated Eagles team fresh off their bye week.

This will mark the first meeting between these two teams since the 2020 season when a Baker Mayfield-led Browns team to a decisive 22-17 victory.

Cleveland had nearly a dozen players listed on their initial injury report, including 12 starters between both sides of the ball. Those who did not take the practice field on Wednesday or Thursday included safety Grant Delpit (concussion), defensive back Ronnie Hickman (ankle), offensive tackle James Hudson (shoulder), center Ethan Pocic (knee) and cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring). Those who sat out on Wednesday but returned to the field Thursday were tight end David Njoku (knee/ankle), defensive end Myles Garrett (Achilles) and running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle).

Cincinnati Bengals (1-4)

After coming up short at home in overtime to the Ravens in overtime last week, the reeling Bengals will be looking to notch just their second victory of the season in an interconference primetime matchup with the New York Giants (2-3) on Sunday Night Football. Of the 171 teams that have started the season 1-4 since 1990, only 11 have gone on to make the playoffs so the basement-dwelling Bengals are in a must-win situation with quite the uphill climb.

This will mark Joe Burrow’s first time playing against the Giants given the last time these two teams faced off was during his rookie season in 2020 after he had already suffered a season-ending torn ACL. That game took place in Week 12 of that season, and New York, led by Daniel Jones, narrowly defeated a Brandon Allen-led Cincinnati squad 19-17.

The Bengals are heading into this seemingly must-win game with nine players listed on their initial injury report on Wednesday. The only two who didn’t practice were veteran running back Zack Moss (foot) and tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring). At the same time, only limited participants were Joseph Ossai (shoulder) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (hamstring). The full participants included: Burrow (wrist), nickel Mike Hilton (knee), cornerback DJ Ivery (knee) defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (calf). On Thursday, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (quad) popped up on the report as a limited participant.