Ravens Power Rankings Roundup Week 8: Still considered top 10 after defeat

After a blowout win against the Los Angeles Chargers (4-2), many were quick to crown the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) as the favorite for the AFC. A week later, the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) went to M&T Bank Stadium and molly-whopped the Ravens. With such a result, the Ravens have been dropped a few spots in the power rankings.

The Baltimore Sun

No. 8 (-5)

“The Ravens’ 41-17 loss to the Bengals isn’t a knock-out blow by any means, rather a stiff shot to the jaw that leaves Baltimore stumbling heading into its bye week. The Ravens couldn’t handle the Bengals’ passing attack Sunday, as Joe Burrow threw for a career-high 416 yards and receiver Ja’Marr Chase racked up 201 yards, giving him the most receiving yards by a rookie through seven weeks in NFL history. Lamar Jackson wasn’t his usual self, as Cincinnati’s athletic defense pressured him on nearly half of his drop-backs and covered well downfield.” — C.J. Doon

NFL.com

No. 8 (-3)

“The Ravens hit their bye at 5-2, a strong record good enough for a tie atop the AFC North. Given the injury epidemic in Baltimore, this feels something close to a best-case scenario. But the nature of Sunday’s loss to the Bengals — a 41-17 shellacking at home — is sure to prompt difficult questions at team headquarters. Are the Ravens, with their depth concerns and inconsistencies, quietly vulnerable in a division that suddenly houses a rising power in Western Ohio? The Ravens were badly outscored and outgained by the Bengals — Cincinnati was the more physical team, as well. The off week began with a wake-up call. Or was it a warning siren?” — Dan Hanzus

CBS Sports

No. 9 (-3)

“So much for the idea they would run away with the division. They were manhandled by the Bengals, which is not a good look.” — Pete Prisco

Pro Football Talk

No. 9 (-6)

“Plenty of questions suddenly arise as the Ravens embark on their bye week.” — Mike Florio

Bleeding Green Nation

No. 8 (-5)

“A week after kicking the Chargers’ butts, the Ravens had their own butts kicked. Such is life in the NFL.” — Brandon Lee Gowton

New York Post

No. 9 (-5)

“Two five-game winning streaks ended for the Ravens: One this season and one in an AFC North rivalry against the Bengals dating to 2018. Lamar Jackson was sacked five times but threw a touchdown pass for a short-lived 17-13 third-quarter lead. The Ravens allowed 28 unanswered points and still have never started better than 5-2.” — Ryan Dunleavy

Bleacher Report

No. 10 (-5)

Fresh off throttling the Los Angeles Chargers, the surging Baltimore Ravens rode a five-game winning streak into Sunday’s meeting with Cincinnati. Beat the Bengals, and the Ravens would be two up in the loss column on every other team in the AFC North.

That didn’t happen. It was Baltimore’s turn to get throttled, losing by the largest margin ever to the Bengals while falling into a first-place tie.

It was an ugly day all around. Offensively, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed less than half of his passes and was sacked five times. Defensively, Baltimore was gashed for a staggering 520 yards and 41 points. — NFL Staff