Slight edgeBAL
Baltimore Ravens
81.1PFM Team Score#15 NFL
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: PFM Team Comparison
The Baltimore Ravens hold a slight overall advantage over the Cincinnati Bengals in the current PFM ratings. Baltimore separates itself through the stronger defense and the bigger big-play threat.
Current PFM Team Scores
CIN
Cincinnati Bengals
79.4PFM Team Score#16 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Baltimore Ravens Higher
Defense is one of the clearest reasons the Baltimore Ravens sit higher. The unit gives the offense more chances to recover from a bad drive. Cincinnati's strongest counterargument is QB Stability. Quarterback is where the Cincinnati Bengals have their cleanest advantage. With Joe Burrow, the offense has a better floor when the first answer stops working.
Baltimore also brings the bigger big-play threat. Baltimore adds the clearer long-term football direction. The Baltimore Ravens still deserves the higher PFM rating.
DECIDING DIFFERENCES
Three Differences That Decide It
Baltimore's Defense Changes the Comparison
BAL80.5CIN73.0
The Baltimore Ravens have the more dependable defense against the Cincinnati Bengals. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game.
Baltimore Brings the Bigger Big-Play Threat
BAL87.5CIN81.3
The Baltimore Ravens bring the bigger big-play threat against the Cincinnati Bengals. Chunk gains can flip field position and create points without requiring a perfect drive.
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Cincinnati Bengals’ Best Argument
The Cincinnati Bengals ask fewer questions at quarterback because Joe Burrow sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script. The QB Stability advantage is a real point in Cincinnati's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Cincinnati is that Baltimore counters with the stronger defense and the bigger big-play threat.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
BAL81.1
Baltimore Ravens 81.1CIN79.4
Cincinnati Bengals 79.4Overall NFL Rank
BAL#15
Baltimore Ravens #15CIN#16
Cincinnati Bengals #16QB Stability
BAL85.7
Baltimore Ravens 85.7CIN88.1
Cincinnati Bengals 88.1Roster Strength
BAL81.7
Baltimore Ravens 81.7CIN81.1
Cincinnati Bengals 81.1Coaching Direction
BAL71.3
Baltimore Ravens 71.3CIN73.8
Cincinnati Bengals 73.8Recent Performance
BAL77.3
Baltimore Ravens 77.3CIN70.8
Cincinnati Bengals 70.8Offense
BAL85.4
Baltimore Ravens 85.4CIN84.2
Cincinnati Bengals 84.2Defense
BAL80.5
Baltimore Ravens 80.5CIN73.0
Cincinnati Bengals 73.0Franchise Direction
BAL79.0
Baltimore Ravens 79.0CIN74.7
Cincinnati Bengals 74.7Explosiveness
BAL87.5
Baltimore Ravens 87.5CIN81.3
Cincinnati Bengals 81.3Conference Rank
BAL#8
Baltimore Ravens #8CIN#9
Cincinnati Bengals #9Division Rank
BAL#1
Baltimore Ravens #1CIN#2
Cincinnati Bengals #2Outlook
BALPlayoff ContenderCINIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Baltimore RavensTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Baltimore Ravens
- Wins Through
- Defense
- Clear Edge
- Defense
- Main Concern in This Comparison
- QB Stability
The Baltimore Ravens own the stronger defense against the Cincinnati Bengals. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. Cincinnati is best equipped to test Baltimore in qb stability.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Wins Through
- QB Stability
- Clear Edge
- QB Stability
- Main Concern in This Comparison
- Defense
Quarterback is the clearest separator. Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati more certainty than the Baltimore Ravens have at the position. Baltimore is best equipped to test Cincinnati in defense.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Baltimore Ravens
Full schedule rank: #29
Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers
Strongest opponents: Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers
View Baltimore Ravens Road AheadCincinnati Bengals
Full schedule rank: #30
Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars
View Cincinnati Bengals Road AheadBaltimore has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 29. The strongest opponents include Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Chargers. Cincinnati gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Baltimore still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The deciding differences identify the strongest independent football reasons behind that order, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.