The Cincinnati Bengals understand what’s at stake against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
So much so, those around the team have gotten to calling it a playoff game.
Take offensive coordinator Bricna Callahan, who said as much early in the week during prep.
“I think it feels like a playoff game in November,” Callahan said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Usually, when we play them, it’s going to come down to probably the last possession or two. It’s usually how all these games against have gone. And you’re just mentally ready for it.”
Fair enough. Everyone remembers how the playoff encounter ended last year, with Sam Hubbard rumbling down the field for the key score. Another game last year was a two-point affair. Earlier this year, with Burrow severely limited on his calf, the Ravens won by just three points.
More to the point, the Bengals enter this one hoping not to fall to 5-5 while suffering a season sweep at the hands of the Ravens. They’re still just 1-4 in the AFC too, so 1-5 would be a brutally tough hole to escape.
Still, the Bengals are banking on that playoff experience and the fact they’re not the same team as Week 2 while prepping for this one.
