mohamed sanu

Over the second half of the season, driven by smart play and bold calls, there has been perhaps no better closer in football than the Ravens defense.

Against a high-flying Atlanta Falcons attack, it was the Ravens’ top-ranked defensive unit that again set forth the law of the land.

As the Ravens outlined their goals for the upcoming season and talked about winning the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals were never far from their minds.

RAVENS PASSING GAME: There have been small signs of improvement with the Ravens’ pass offense, but the team is still struggling to make big plays and sustain

The Bengals have won five consecutive games against the Ravens, but this year's team is 3-6-1 and hobbling. The Ravens (5-5) must win home games like these to

After more than a decade of turning around one of the NFL's worst franchises, Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis' success might finally be catching up with him.

Through eight weeks, the AFC North, which has been one of the top divisions in the sport, has the same number of winning teams (Pittsburgh) as it does winless ones (Cleveland).

The Browns, Steelers and Bengals will enter the draft with varying game plans.

Nobody wants to see the Ravens reach a contract agreement with quarterback Joe Flacco more than Flacco.

The Ravens clearly need to add an explosive wide receiver this offseason, but it won't be Alshon Jeffery.

The Ravens may not draft Ohio State's Braxton Miller, but their offense badly needs a player with his skill set.

Former Ravens dot the rosters and coaching staffs of both Super Bowl 50 teams: the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

Free agency is still nearly two months away, but it's easy to see that the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers could be hit hard by defections.

Despite what seems to be a popular opinion around town, the Ravens haven't quit or shut it down for the remainder of the 2015 season. They just aren't a very good football team.

Ravens' defense again gives up late touchdown after offense rallies to take lead twice from Bengals in fourth quarter.

An offseason when second-year inside linebacker C.J. Mosley's injured wrist limited his work on pass coverage didn't hinder his improvement in that area.

These will be the three stars of the game when the Ravens try for their first win of the season on Sunday in the home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens lost Gary Kubiak, Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels, but otherwise, the AFC North's top three teams return very similar offenses.

The 6-foot-5, 222-pound former Blue Hens player has been invited to the Ravens' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

Rutgers coach Kyle Flood says Ray Rice's message to his football team was simple: "If you make the wrong decision, you're going to have to be accountable for that."

When the Baltimore Ravens visit Houston on Sunday, the Texans will rely heavily on running back Arian Foster, who has run for over 100 yards in seven of 11 games this season and averages 102.5 yards per game.

A knee injury Sunday cut safety Terrence Brooks¿ season short after just 11 games, and defensive coordinator Dean Pees on Thursday kicked himself for trying to fit the first-year safety into too many positions instead of letting him get acclimated to the NFL in just one.

Having lost top cornerback Jimmy Smith to injury and using a rotating set of safeties, the Baltimore Ravens have struggled against the pass.

Is there anyone on the Baltimore Ravens who keeps opposing offensive and defensive coordinators up at night?

Ravens rookie safety Terrrence Brooks showed some frustration about being kept on the sideline as an inactive player for Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ravens veteran tight end Owen Daniels is active one week removed from undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

As the Ravens (5-3) square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) at Heinz Field on Sunday night, here¿s Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson's checklist of things to keep an eye on.

The up-and-down, mostly down, nature of Ravens strong safety Matt Elam's second NFL season was on full display at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson breaks down the film after the Ravens' 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Jimmy Smith was playing as well as any corner in the NFL. In a first half filled with injuries, his loss is the biggest yet for the Baltimore Ravens.

Ravens starting cornerback Jimmy Smith will be sidelined for a few weeks with a sprained left foot, according to coach John Harbaugh.

The sense of urgency for Baltimore Ravens has to pick up after watching Cincinnati Bengals march for another game-winning drive.

Who are the 2014 Ravens? After they faltered in Cincinnati, we still have a lot to learn.

Although offensive tackle Eugene Monroe was rested for one series when rookie James Hurst replaced him and offensive guard Kelechi Osemele was out briefly with an eye injury, the left side of the Ravens¿ offensive line emerged relatively unscathed during their first game back from knee injuries.

Andy Dalton's 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal with 57 seconds to play pushed the Cincinnati Bengals past the Ravens, 27-24, in front of an announced 55,711 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Baltimore Sun reporters, columnists and editors share their immediate reaction to the Ravens' game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium.

Ravens veteran tight end Owen Daniels underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after his injury didn't improve this week and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to coach John Harbaugh

Every team has injuries, but in Cincinnati's case, the team's top playmakers have been involved. The team's No. 1 receiver, A.J. Green, has missed the last two games with a toe injury. The team's top linebacker, Vontaze Burfict, has missed two entire games with a concussion, and parts of two others with a neck injury.

Five Ravens stats that stand out ahead of the Bengals game

A 43-17 blowout raised questions about the Bengals' ability to defend elite offenses without injured Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the lineup.

But the farther the Baltimore Ravens get from the season-opening, 23-16 loss to the now 3-0 Bengals, the better it looks.

Despite giving up game-winning touchdown pass, Ravens' secondary forced the Bengals to throw short most of the game

Breaking down who has the edge, and where, in Sunday's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

Andy Dalton is looking like an altogether different quarterback for the AFC North division champion Cincinnati Bengals heading into Sunday's regular season finale against the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium.