Monday Night Football Season 38 Episode 1 Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

The start of NFL season 2020 marks the return of Monday Night Football, making this the 38th season of the iconic franchise. With a spectacular opening week lined up, the season begins with a thrilling prime time matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens come into this game riding on an impressive 14-win season the previous year, that ended on a sour note with a disappointing loss to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round. The team has since bolstered their defense with the addition of defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, which makes them one of the most formidable units in the league.

Their offense will be led by their electrifying quarterback Lamar Jackson, who put up MVP-worthy numbers last year. Jackson had a historic season with over 1,200 yards rushing and 36 touchdown passes, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 3,000 yards and rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season. He will be looking to continue his success this year and take his team to the top of the league.

The Bengals, on the other hand, are coming off a disappointing 2019 season in which they finished with a record of 2-14. However, the team has made significant changes, including the addition of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who was the top overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow had a record-setting season at Louisiana State University, leading the Tigers to an undefeated season and the National Championship.

Burrow will be surrounded by a talented group of receivers, including Tyler Boyd and A.J. Green, who is back after missing all of last season with an injury. The Bengals will be hoping that Burrow can replicate his college form and help turn the team's fortunes around.

The Ravens and the Bengals have a long-standing rivalry, having faced each other 47 times, with Baltimore winning 25 times and Cincinnati winning 22 times. The teams last met in November of 2019, where the Ravens emerged victorious with a score of 49-13.

As both teams take the field, football fans are in for a treat with this Monday Night Football season opener. This game promises to be a high-scoring affair, with two exciting quarterbacks leading their respective teams. Fans will have their eyes on Jackson to see if he can continue his incredible form from last season, while the spotlight will also be on Burrow to see how he adjusts to the NFL, against one of the best defenses in the league.

Both teams will be looking to come out of the gates strong in this pivotal matchup, as a win in the first game of the season could set the tone for the rest of the year. Ultimately, the team that can execute their game plan more effectively and turn the ball over less will be the one that will emerge victorious in this fierce divisional rivalry.

Stay tuned to Monday Night Football for a thrilling start to the NFL season, as the Ravens take on the Bengals in an electrifying matchup.