Ravens vs. Bengals Week 5 stock report: 4 risers, 4 fallers

On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens escaped Cincinnati with a win that can only be described as miraculous. Much like opposing teams have typically done to Baltimore, the Ravens overcame a double-digit deficit to send the game to overtime, and then win it after a vintage Derrick Henry run. While Lamar Jackson and the offense played an exceptional game, the defense looked completely lost against Bengals QB Joe Burrow and company. Let’s dive into the biggest movers in stock after the thrilling win.

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Stock Up

Lamar Jackson, QB

The two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson had another vintage performance on Sunday. After going down ten-points early in the third quarter, Jackson matched the Bengals blow for blow, engineering three touchdown drives in the second half and making multiple highlight plays in the process. Midway through the fourth quarter, Jackson made arguably the play of the year. After bobbling the snap, Jackson stiff-armed defensive end Sam Hubbard into the dirt and then fired a perfect throw back across the field to tight end Isaiah Likely, all while being tackled out of bounds. After five weeks, Jackson looks even better than last season and is once again in the early MVP conversation.

Zay Flowers, WR

The sophomore Flowers had arguably the best game of his young career in Cincinnati. Flowers’ usage through four weeks had been largely criticized due to his lack of involvement down the field. Fortunately, offensive coordinator Todd Monken was able to quickly identify the susceptibility on the back end of the Bengals defense and used the talented Flowers to exploit it. Flowers torched the Bengals secondary all-day and was Jackson’s go-to-guy on many crucial moments in the game. Flowers will look to build on this performance and further solidify his role as the No.1 wide receiver in the Ravens offense.

Tight ends

Baltimore went into season believing they had the best tight end room in the NFL, and it certainly looked that way on Sunday. While fans have become accustomed to Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews catching passes, third-string tight end Charlie Kolar also balled out with 3 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. Likely added two touchdowns on three catches and Mark Andrews had a bounce back game with 55 yards on four catches.

Todd Monken, OC

The game plan from the Bengals was clear: stop the run. While Baltimore wasn’t completely shut down on the ground, it was clear the Bengals were selling out against Baltimore’s top ranked rushing attack. Monken quickly adjusted and play-actioned the Cincinnati defense to death in the second half. The Ravens dominant run game won’t always look as great as it did against Buffalo but games like this show they have the horses to counter opponents when they sellout against Henry and Jackson.

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Stock Down

Zach Orr, DC

After a brilliant defensive performance against Josh Allen and the Bills, the Ravens defense had their worst game since their 2022 shootout with the Miami Dolphins. While the players on the field are the ones actually playing the game, there has to be some accountability for the person leading the group. Going against an offense like Cincinnati’s will always be a tough test. However, too many times it seemed like players were out of position, or unable to recognize certain personnel groupings or situations that would warrant a specific type of defense. The Ravens had some success blitzing Burrow in the first half but struggled to get home in the second half. Simply put, there is too much talent on this defense for them to be putting out this type of performance. Orr and company will need to adjust fast with QB Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Commanders coming to town on Sunday.

Marcus Williams, S

It’s been quite the rough start to the year for Williams who the Ravens signed to a 5-year, $70 million contract before the 2022 season. In the first few games of that season, Williams looked like a premier safety, making plays all over the field. However, injuries took their toll on Williams who has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons. Now, finally healthy, Williams is somehow looking worse than he was last year when he was playing with one arm as a result of a pec injury he suffered earlier in the season. PFF currently has Williams graded as the worst safety in the NFL, validating the eye test Ravens fans have seen through five weeks.

Brandon Stephens, CB

Stephens had a breakout season in 2023, establishing himself as a borderline lockdown cornerback throughout the previous year. This season has been a different story. Stephens has been picked on all year and has let up a lot of yards. Prior concerns about Stephens not being able to locate the football have resurfaced as opposing quarterbacks have been exploiting him on back shoulder throws. Stephens has drawn some tough receiver assignments but needs to be better if the Ravens defense is to improve.

Linebackers

While the Ravens were torched across the field on Sunday, the defense has particularly struggled to shrink the middle of the field for opponents. The Ravens are asking a lot from Roquan Smith on defense right now. During the Buffalo game, Zach Orr pivoted to a dime defense that gave QB Josh Allen issues. While it was successful against Buffalo’s subpar receiving unit, it was quickly picked apart by Burrow who found success across the middle of the field and on slant routes, particularly in the redzone. The Ravens clearly don’t trust Trenton Simpson in pass coverage, and as a result are moving S Kyle Hamilton into his spot on passing downs. Orr is putting Hamilton and Smith in a tough spot, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’ve allowed too many completions across the middle of the field and for opposing quarterbacks to find easy throwing windows.