CINCINNATI (5-4) at BALTIMORE (7-3)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EST, Amazon Prime.
OPENING LINE: Ravens by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Bengals 4-4-1; Ravens 6-4.
SERIES RECORD: Ravens lead 29-27.
LAST MEETING: Ravens beat Bengals 27-24 on Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati.
LAST WEEK: Bengals lost to Texans 30-27; Ravens lost to Browns 33-31.
BENGALS OFFENSE: OVERALL (24), RUSH (32), PASS (16), SCORING (20).
BENGALS DEFENSE: OVERALL (30), RUSH (30), PASS (25), SCORING (T-16).
RAVENS OFFENSE: OVERALL (9), RUSH (1), PASS (20), SCORING (5).
RAVENS DEFENSE: OVERALL (2), RUSH (11), PASS (4), SCORING (1).
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Bengals plus-10; Ravens plus-1.
BENGALS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Ja’Marr Chase had five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown against Houston even with a sore back. He had 201 yards receiving at Baltimore two years ago.
RAVENS PLAYER TO WATCH: DT Justin Madubuike has at least a half-sack in seven consecutive games, the longest streak in team history. Baltimore leads the NFL with 39 sacks by 13 different players.
KEY MATCHUP: Bengals QB Joe Burrow against the Baltimore secondary. Two seasons ago, Burrow threw for 941 yards in two games as Cincinnati swept the Ravens. Baltimore’s pass defense is in much better shape now, but the Bengals haven’t been proficient running the ball so they may need another big showing from their star passer.
KEY INJURIES: The Bengals will be without one of their top receivers and a starting defensive end. WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) has been ruled out, along with DE Sam Hubbard (ankle). … Baltimore LT Ronnie Stanley (knee) will miss this game and CB Marlon Humphrey (calf) is doubtful.
SERIES NOTES: Cincinnati has won four of the past six meetings, including last season’s playoff matchup. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson missed that game, and replacement Tyler Huntley had a fumble returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Hubbard in the fourth quarter.
STATS AND STUFF: Cincinnati was 5-4 each of the past two years and rallied each time to win the AFC North and reach the conference title game. The Bengals are in last place this time and their remaining schedule includes this rematch with Baltimore and two games against Pittsburgh. … The Bengals began the season 0-2 and were 1-3 before winning four straight. … Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt has interceptions in four of the past five games, including one for a touchdown. … Bengals P Brad Robbins kicked five times last week, averaging 51.8 yards. He dropped two of them inside the 20. … The Ravens have trailed for less than 30 minutes all season, but lost to Indianapolis and Cleveland on the last play and to Pittsburgh on a late touchdown. … This is the fourth time in five years Baltimore has led the AFC North through Week 10, but the Ravens haven’t won the division since 2019 when Jackson was league MVP. … Baltimore is an NFL-best 19-3 at home in prime time since 2008. … Ravens S Geno Stone has an NFL-best six interceptions. … Baltimore has rushed for at least 100 yards in 26 straight games. No other team has an active streak longer than five. … TE Mark Andrews is one touchdown reception away from tying Todd Heap’s Ravens record of 41.
FANTASY TIP: If you had RB Keaton Mitchell on your team before two weeks ago, pat yourself on the back and maybe buy a lottery ticket. The undrafted rookie had 200 yards on just 14 touches in those two games and scored twice, and there’s plenty of reason to think Baltimore will use Mitchell even more in the weeks to come.
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