What to Watch for in Bengals-Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals will return from their bye week Sunday for a pivotal AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati enters at 3-2, while Baltimore sits at 4-2 following a loss to the Cleveland Browns. With both teams looking to gain ground in the division, several storylines could determine which team comes away with a crucial victory.

Will Lamar Jackson be healthy enough to play?

The biggest question heading into Sunday is whether Jackson will return to the field after missing Baltimore's last two games with an ankle injury. Jackson was limited in practice Wednesday, leaving his availability uncertain heading into the weekend.

Jackson has completed 70.8% of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception this season. Backup Tyler Huntley has kept Baltimore competitive, but the offense has been less explosive with him under center. If Jackson returns, Cincinnati's defense must prepare for his ability to extend plays with his legs while making defenses pay through the air. His status could significantly change the outlook for Sunday's matchup.

Who will lead Cincinnati's rushing attack?

The Bengals' backfield could look different coming out of the bye week, with Chase Brown and Samaje Perine competing for a larger share of the workload. Brown has been Cincinnati's primary running back, but Perine made a strong case for more opportunities in the team's last game.

Against Miami, Perine rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries, while Brown managed 39 yards on 13 attempts and lost a fumble. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said the team would continue evaluating the distribution of carries between the two backs. With Cincinnati averaging just 82.8 rushing yards per game, establishing a more productive ground game could help take pressure off Joe Burrow.

Can Ja'marr Chase continue his domination of Baltimore?

Chase has historically delivered some of his biggest performances against the Ravens, making him a major storyline Sunday. Across 10 career games against Baltimore, he has averaged 120.4 receiving yards per game, the highest average against any opponent among players with at least 10 games, according to Next Gen Stats.

However, Chase is looking to get his season going after a relatively quiet start. Teammate Tee Higgins expressed confidence that a breakout performance is coming, and Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey has called Cincinnati's receiving duo a major challenge. If Chase finds his rhythm, he could give the Bengals a significant advantage.

Will Trey Hendrickson get revenge against his former team?

Hendrickson will face Cincinnati for the first time since joining Baltimore in free agency. The pass rusher recorded a sack against Cleveland last week after returning from finger surgery and will look to disrupt Burrow against his former teammates.

Hendrickson has recorded 25 quarterback pressures this season, making him one of Baltimore's most dangerous defensive players. With familiarity with Cincinnati's offense, he could present a difficult challenge for the Bengals' offensive line. A strong performance would give Hendrickson an opportunity to make an immediate statement against his former team.