This week, the Cincinnati Bengals are set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens for Thursday Night Football. The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
The Ravens enter the matchup as 6.5-point favorites, with a total projected score of 53 points.
Cincinnati (4-5 SU, 5-4 ATS, 6-3 O/U) comes off a significant victory against Las Vegas, winning 41-24. The Bengals currently sit third in the AFC North division.
Baltimore (6-3 SU, 5-3-1 ATS, 8-1 O/U) also enjoyed a strong performance last week, overpowering Denver with a 41-10 score. They hold the second spot in the AFC North standings.
The last encounter between these two teams ended in a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory for the Ravens on October 6. Both quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, showcased their skills by combining for 716 passing yards and nine touchdowns. However, Baltimore’s ground game proved to be more effective, averaging 5.1 yards per carry compared to Cincinnati’s 3.1. The Ravens have dominated this series, winning and covering the spread in three consecutive matchups.
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Who will emerge victorious in this NFL clash? Explore the insights on the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens prediction!
Can the Bengals Maintain Their Momentum?
Cincinnati’s latest win against Las Vegas showcased their defensive strength, limiting the Raiders to just 217 total yards, including a mere 60 rushing yards. Burrow threw for 243 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, while Chase Brown added 120 rushing yards. Despite the impressive performance, Burrow remains focused on improvement.
“Given how this season has unfolded, we know we have a long way to go. A single win won’t define our journey,” Burrow stated. “I aim for perfection every day, and until we reach that, there’s no reason to celebrate.”
Cincinnati’s quarterback has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 2,244 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns against four interceptions. His primary targets include wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (55 receptions, 717 yards, seven touchdowns), tight end Mike Gesicki (30 receptions, 353 yards, two touchdowns), and wide receiver Tee Higgins (29 receptions, 341 yards, three touchdowns). The rushing attack is led by Brown, who has 479 yards and four touchdowns on 105 carries.
The Bengals average 26.2 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, and accumulate 330.6 total yards, placing them 17th. They generate 236.3 passing yards (7th) but struggle with their rushing game, averaging only 94.2 yards (27th). Defensively, the Bengals allow 25.2 points (25th) and 342.9 total yards (19th), giving up 212.4 passing yards (16th) and 130.4 rushing yards (18th).
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Update: TE Eric All (knee) and RB Zack Moss (neck) have been placed on injured reserve. RB Chase Brown (ribs), WR Tee Higgins (quad), and OT Orlando Brown Jr. (knee) are listed as questionable for the game against Baltimore.
Ravens Showcase Their Power
Baltimore’s recent victory over Denver highlighted their offensive strength, amassing 396 total yards while restricting the Broncos to just 7-for-19 on third and fourth downs. Jackson completed 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns, achieving a perfect passer rating. Derrick Henry contributed significantly, rushing 23 times for 106 yards and scoring two touchdowns, marking the 100th and 101st of his career.
“We’ve always been effective running the ball, but Derrick brings a unique element to our game,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh commented. “He adds a dimension we haven’t had since Jamal Lewis.”
Jackson has completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 2,379 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has also rushed for 505 yards and two scores, averaging 9.3 yards per pass and 6.0 yards per carry. Key receiving options include WR Zay Flowers (46 receptions, 654 yards, three touchdowns), WR Rashod Bateman (25 receptions, 447 yards, three touchdowns), and TE Mark Andrews (24 receptions, 289 yards, four touchdowns). Henry leads the Ravens’ rushing attack with 1,052 yards (6.3 YPC) and 11 touchdowns.
The Ravens rank second in the league with an average of 31.4 points and lead with 445.9 total yards. They pass for 254.0 yards per game (4th) and rush for 191.9 yards (1st). Baltimore’s defense allows 24.3 points (23rd) and 356.6 total yards (21st), but they excel in pass defense, allowing only 280.9 yards (32nd) and just 75.7 rushing yards (1st).
Baltimore Ravens Injury Update: TE Isaiah Likely (hamstring) and DT Travis Jones (ankle) are questionable for the Thursday Night Football contest against Cincinnati.
Betting Insights for Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
This matchup brings intriguing betting opportunities for fans and analysts alike. The Bengals have shown they can compete with the Ravens, but there are critical factors that may influence the outcome.
While the Bengals’ recent performances have been commendable, they face challenges on defense. Their metrics indicate difficulties with pass rushing and forcing turnovers. Offensively, they rely heavily on their passing game, which may struggle against Baltimore’s strong defense.
Conversely, the Ravens are solidifying their position as a Super Bowl contender. Their convincing win against Denver indicates they are peaking at the right time. After a tough loss to Cleveland, Baltimore’s performance against the Broncos served as a reminder of their capabilities.
Although Cincinnati has made progress, their victories came against teams that have faced their own struggles. Their recent success may not prepare them adequately for the Ravens’ intensity on Thursday. They may find it difficult to cover the spread as 6.5-point underdogs.
