Everything You Need to Know: Ravens vs. Bengals
In a rematch of a thrilling Week 5 contest that the Ravens won in overtime, Baltimore (6-3) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) on 'Thursday Night Football.'
Basics
Kickoff: Thursday, 8:15 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
TV: WMAR Channel 2 (Baltimore) and Amazon Prime Streaming (national). Amazon crew: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Kaylee Hartung (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch.81 or 226. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst). Westwood One Sports: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Devin McCourty (analyst)
History
The Ravens hold a 31-27 edge in the all-time series, including regular season and postseason.
In Week 5, the Ravens won a memorable 41-38 overtime game in Cincinnati. Lamar Jackson, who threw four touchdowns, added a remarkable highlight to his resume on a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely. After he stiff-armed 265-pound defensive lineman Sam Hubbard twice, Jackson faded and launched a leaping throw from the 20-yard line while being hit by linebacker Jermaine Pratt. Likely leapt between two Cincinnati defenders for the touchdown.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was also brilliant, throwing for five touchdowns and 392 yards. However, he was intercepted late in the fourth quarter by Marlon Humphrey, setting up a game-tying 56-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. Derrick Henry's 51-yard run in overtime set up Tucker's chip shot game-winner.
Stakes
The Ravens can sweep the season series with Cincinnati and win for the seventh time in eight weeks. That would keep them neck-and-neck with the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2), who the Ravens will visit in Week 11. The Bengals have called this a "must-win" game and can get back to .500 after an 0-3 start. A loss would damage their playoff hopes and make it difficult for Cincinnati to catch either Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
Key Storylines
Do the Bengals have an answer for Jackson?
Jackson has a 9-1 career record against the Bengals as a starter. In three games against Cincinnati with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has eight touchdown passes, no interceptions, and has averaged 283 yards passing per game. Playing against the Ravens twice every season hasn't helped the Bengals contain Jackson. It will be interesting to see what the Bengals try defensively, but they have a Jackson problem they need to solve.
Will Baltimore's pass defense cool off Burrow?
Burrow threw for five touchdowns against the Ravens in Week 5, then did it again versus the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend. He and Jackson could turn this game into another shootout. The Ravens believe they're on the right track toward solving their issues defensively, but they'll find out how much progress they've made when they face Burrow.
Can the Ravens continue their primetime dominance?
The Ravens are 8-0 at home on Thursday night under Head Coach John Harbaugh. They are 21-3 under Harbaugh in primetime home games. The Ravens are fueled by the electric atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium at night. Wearing their "Purple Rising" helmets for the first time, the Ravens will try to parlay that energy into another victory.
Players to Watch
RB Derrick Henry
Already over 1,000 yards for the season, Henry didn't get his usual workload against Cincinnati in Week 5 (15 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown). However, his 51-yard run in overtime helped seal the victory, and the Ravens may give Henry more touches on Thursday night, particularly in the second half when he's usually at his best.
WR Zay Flowers
Flowers has been the NFL’s most productive receiver since Week 5 and had seven catches for 111 yards against the Bengals last month. His ability to gain yards after the catch is uncanny, and he's a threat to make big plays against Cincinnati's secondary.
ILB Roquan Smith
Giving up 38 points to Cincinnati last month was not what Baltimore had in mind. As one of the leaders of the Ravens' defense, Smith will be fired up to raise his game while lifting his teammates in the process. Smith has been vocal about his disdain for the Bengals.
1 / 5
CB Brandon Stephens vs. WR Ja'Marr Chase
Chase is No. 2 in the NFL with 717 receiving yards and gave the Ravens fits in Week 5, catching two touchdowns and going for 193 yards. Stephens has played tight coverage this season, but receivers are making some spectacular plays. With Tee Higgins' status in question for Thursday, the Ravens will need to stop Chase from beating them.
Peter Joneleit (left) & Kirk Irwin (right)/AP Photo
2 / 5
S Kyle Hamilton vs. QB Joe Burrow
Burrow is coming off his second five-touchdown game of the season while Hamilton was Baltimore's highest-graded defender last week, according to Pro Football Focus. Burrow lit up the Ravens' defense in Week 5 with 392 passing yards and five scores and might need to have a similar performance with the way Baltimore's offense is playing.
Shawn Hubbard (left) & Carolyn Kaster (right)/Baltimore Ravens Photos (left) & AP Photo (right)
3 / 5
LT Ronnie Stanley vs. DE Trey Hendrickson
Stanley is one of the game's best left tackles while Hendrickson has a league-high 11 sacks and had four last week. This will be a premier showdown as Stanley tries to shut Hendrickson out like he did in Week 5.
Shawn Hubbard (left) & Jeff Dean (right)/Baltimore Ravens Photos (left) & AP Photo (right)
4 / 5
QB Lamar Jackson vs. S Vonn Bell
Jackson is the front-runner for MVP right now and is playing the best football of his life. He had a perfect passer rating for the fourth time in his career last week. Jackson, who has a 9-1 career record against the Bengals, went off against the Bengals in Cincinnati earlier this season, and Bell and the rest of secondary will try to avoid getting picked apart again.
Shawn Hubbard (left) & Kirk Irwin (right)/Baltimore Ravens Photos (left) & AP Photo (right)
5 / 5
WR Zay Flowers vs. CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Flowers leads the NFL in receiving yards (496) since Week 5 and has topped 100 yards in four of the last five games. He's solidifying himself as one of the game's best receivers and gives Baltimore a true No. 1. Taylor-Britt has had an up-and-down season and now has his hands full with Flowers.
Shawn Hubbard (left) & Jeff Lewis (right)/Baltimore Ravens Photos (left) & AP Photo (right)
