Linebacker Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens talked about the animosity between his team and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Linebacker Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens feels that when both teams win, their rivalry with the Cincinnati Bengals gets even more fierce. Smith said
“Both teams are winning,” “When you’re winning, that’s what makes a rivalry more intense. When two teams losing or one teams losing, it’s not really a rivalry. Some may say it’s based off history, but as far as within the last couple of years, I think it’s just the winning, both sides winning.”
Roquan on the Ravens/Bengals rivalry: pic.twitter.com/ZyesUQfnmS
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 14, 2023
One of the best playoff games of 2022 was between the Bengals and Ravens, with defensive end Sam Hubbard returning a 98-yard fumble for a score, which proved to be the game-winning play.
Lamar Jackson, the backup quarterback for the Ravens, was sidelined for the Wild Card game due to an injury. Tyler Huntley tried his hardest to win the game, but he was eventually unsuccessful.
Smith has been a part of the Baltimore team since he was dealt there from Chicago prior to the 2022 NFL trade deadline, therefore this will be his fourth game against Cincinnati.
As a Raven, the All-Pro linebacker has made 29 tackles and one tackle for loss versus the Bengals in three games. He also made one appearance with the Bears against Cincinnati, recording nine stops, one sack, one tackle for loss, and an interception that was returned for a score.
This rivalry will resurface on Thursday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16.