“I have to play damn near perfect. That’s how I am preparing,” said Joe Burrow on October 2, and you know what? He means it. With the Baltimore Ravens Week 5 clash looming on October 6, the quarterback is well aware that there’s no room for error. The guy has been Cincy’s MVP so far this season, no questions about it. But with a 1-3 record? Things have been far from favorable—the team suffered three consecutive losses against the New England Patriots (10-16), the Kansas City Chiefs (25-26) and the Washington Commanders (33-38), before the Carolina Panthers fell short in Week 4 (34-24).

Anyhow, it’s tough to celebrate individual brilliance when the team’s record feels like a bad fumble. Yet, John Harbaugh isn’t looking at that. He wants the Ravens to focus on stopping him.

It might come as sarcasm considering the Purple Pain has been Burrow’s kryptonite—he’s 3-4 against them. But don’t tell that to Harbaugh because he’s got mad respect for Burrow’s game. “He’s playing very well. He plays the game in a very unique way, a very precise way, in terms of his reads, his accuracy, his timing, [and] he’s strong in the pocket,” the 62-year-old said in a press-conference on Wednesday. Those are the words of a coach who knows the QB across the field is no joke, regardless of past records.

And let’s be real—Harbaugh’s got a point. Burrow’s been slinging it with deadly accuracy. 978 passing yards, a 70.9% completion rate, and 7 TDs to just 1 INT. In fact, the 27-year-old is currently seventh on the 2024 NFL Passing Yards list. If that’s not QB excellence, what is? On the contrary, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson currently flaunts 858 passing yards, along with five TDs to 1 INT. Despite the Bengals’ rocky start, Burrow’s arm is keeping them in every game. So, while the 1-3 record might scream “panic,” JB’s numbers suggest he’s still driving the bus for this team.

Now add to that the deadly combination of WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and the Ravens coach will have ample reasons to be wary…

Veteran journalist Todd Karpovich was the first to point out the triple threat. “QB Joe Burrow is completing 70% to WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins. What kind of matchup problems do they create?” he asked, to which the Harbaugh couldn’t agree more. “No question. They have really great skill … They always have. They have a great scheme, they have great receivers, and it doesn’t even stop with those two guys. Those two guys are top shelf-type wide receivers, but I think they have great depth in their receiving core,” he added.

The coach, who led the Ravens to a memorable Super Bowl win in 2013, didn’t fail to mention the other strong areas his next opponent flaunts either. [Their] tight ends are really good receivers; they brought in Mike Gesicki. They have a good group of tight ends; they all do different things really well. Their running backs are playing really well. Both [Zack] Moss and [Chase] Brown are both playing excellent, running hard, [and] are very productive when they get the ball. It’s a well-rounded offense.”

Now, Baltimore is 2-2, and you know the tension between these two teams is real. Burrow’s not just looking to get his record even against them—he’s eyeing revenge. Last season, the Ravens knocked the Bengals off their AFC North throne and reached the AFC Championship Game. That’s gotta sting if you’re the focus under the center for the Who Dey.

If the Bengals pull off the W on Sunday, they’re right back in the AFC North race. But a loss? Dropping to 1-4 and losing a game at home would be brutal for their playoff chances as well as bragging rights. Burrow knows it, and he’s not letting that happen without a fight.

Joe Burrow wants his team to be aggressive!

Joe Burrow and the Bengals versus Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. You can practically feel the tension in the air! But the pressure’s for the faint-hearted as Burrow’s got a pretty clear game plan.

“You’ve got to be aggressive out the gate.” No chill, just all gas. He knows the stakes are high, especially with a shaky record hanging over the team like a dark cloud. After snapping a three-game losing streak against the Panthers, Burrow is pumped and ready to show what Cincy’s all about.

The Ravens thrive on grinding down the clock with their ground game, and Burrow knows they can’t let that happen. “Otherwise, they’re just gonna eat the clock up,” he warned. It’s a classic case of needing to strike first, or else you risk playing catch-up all day long. Burrow’s approach isn’t just smart; it’s downright essential for their chances of winning this clash against the rivals.

Let’s talk stats. With a negative offensive rating, the Bengals need to rev up their engines. Baltimore’s offensive line might be in a bit of disarray, which is where Burrow has to seize the moment. If they can contain Jackson, who’s as slippery as a wet bar of soap, it’ll give Burrow the chance to unleash his passing prowess. He knows the Ravens can grind out 271 rushing yards per game, which is just ridiculous. But if Burrow can rally his offense to start strong, they can put the Ravens in a tough spot, similar to what happened to the Bills last week.

As Burrow put it, “It’s a big game for the Bengals.” With everything on the line, this isn’t just about redemption; it’s about setting the tone and settling scores. But let’s hope this isn’t just big pre-game talk; the players need to back it up when game day rolls around.