One of the season’s biggest Thursday Night Football matchups will occur when the Cincinnati Bengals play the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore can maintain its narrow AFC North lead with a home win and damage its rival’s playoff hopes in the process. On the other hand, the two teams would be even in the loss column with a Cincinnati victory.
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives the Ravens a 64.8 percent win probability at home. They’re 3.5-point favorites with a -185 moneyline.
ESPN FPI is worse: gives the #Bengals a 34.9% chance to beat the Ravens tomorrow. https://t.co/815gxG7yjb pic.twitter.com/PCEW7gIHZ7
— WINCINNATI (@WINCINNATI_) November 15, 2023
The Ravens were riding high before the Cleveland Browns snapped their four-game winning streak with a last-second win last Sunday. Yet Baltimore still brandishes the NFL’s highest point differential (+113), ranking fifth in scoring and allowing a league-low 15.7 points per game.
ESPN’s Football Power Index places the Ravens third behind the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Despite an underwhelming start for a perceived Super Bowl contender, the 5-4 Bengals are ninth.
Joe Burrow and Co. appeared to turn the corner on an alarming 1-3 start by rattling off four consecutive wins, including a 14-point triumph at San Francisco. But just like Baltimore, that streak snapped in Week 10 when the Houston Texans kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.
“You just have to put it behind you quickly,” Burrow said of rebounding from a tough loss on a condensed week. “There’s no time to really sit and reflect too much because coaches are starting to gameplan right after the game. And then Monday, we’re right into it. Monday’s a Thursday. Today’s a Friday. You just have to put it behind you fast and move on.”
Each team will miss some significant contributors on Thursday night.
The Ravens have already ruled out offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley with a knee injury, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey is doubtful. Meanwhile, wide receiver Tee Higgins and defensive lineman Sam Hubbard won’t play for Cincinnati.
However, star Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson plans to play days after hyperextending. Their sack leader (8.5) fully participated in Wednesday’s practice.
The monumental AFC North clash starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.