Preview: Ravens Set to Square Off Against Bengals in a Thursday Night Showdown

The Baltimore Ravens get set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals tonight in a rematch of their week two matchup that saw the Ravens come away with a 27-24 victory in Cincinnati. Since then the Ravens have gone on to be considered one of the best teams in the AFC while taking over first place in the AFC north with a 7-3 record. The Bengals on the other hand have been working to dig out of a hole from early in the season as they sit in last in the AFC north with a 5-4 record.

Both teams are coming off a week 10 loss as the Ravens fell to the Browns by a final of 33-31. While the Bengals fell late to the Texans 30-27.

Right tackle Morgan Moses who has missed the last games with a shoulder injury practiced in full for the second straight week does not have an injury designation and will return to the starting lineup. This is huge for the Ravens as they will be without right tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee). Patrick Mekari, who also started at right tackle in place of Stanley when these two teams met in week two is expected to be the Ravens starting right tackle. Linebacker Trenton Simpson who suffered a concussion last Sunday is the only other Ravens to officially be ruled out. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin), safety Daryl Worley (hamstring), and guard John Simpson (illness/shoulder) are all listed as questionable, but practiced in full on Wednesday. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay popped up on the injury report with a hamstring on Tuesday and did not practice on Wednesday, but is listed as questionable. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey who left last Sunday with a non-contact calf injury did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful.

The Bengals are suffering several injuries of their own to key players. Wide receiver Tee Higgins has been ruled out with a with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) and wide receiver Andrei Losivas (knee) have also been ruled out. Wide receiver Charlie Jones (thumb) practiced in full all week for the Bengals and is listed as questionable.

Players to Watch:

Rock Ya-Sin

With Marlon Humphrey expected to be out tonight, offseason addition cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, is expected to be the next guy up opposite of Brandon Stephens. Ya-Sin has had a slow start to the season splitting snaps with fellow cornerback Ronald Darby, and mostly playing special teams since Humphrey returned from foot surgery that forced him to miss the first four weeks of the season.

In six games Ya-Sin has amassed five total tackles and two pass deflections. While those numbers don’t jump off the page Ya-Sin has been reliable in his opportunities this season. Ya-Sin was a big part in limiting the Bengals receivers in week two something he will once again be tasked to do tonight.

Joe Mixon

The often forgotten about man on the Bengals star studded offense. Running back Joe Mixon can be a difference maker if things are going right for the Bengals offense. In the first meeting against the Ravens Mixon ran for 59 yards on 13 carries while also catching four passes for 36 yards. Mixon traditionally has moderate success against the Ravens rush defense. in 12 career games against the Ravens Mixon averages just over 56 yards per game, 3.6 yards per carry and has found the end zone on the ground five times.

The Bengals currently rank dead last in the NFL in rushing averaging just under 75 yards per game, but Mixon’s strong rushing ability and skill to make some plays in the pass game make him a dangerous weapon for the Bengals. The Ravens will without a doubt be looking to stop Joe Burrow and his plethora of receivers, but must not forget about Mixon, otherwise it could be a long night for the Ravens if they cannot stop the run.

Prediction

Tonight has a playoff atmosphere to it, with the race for first place being so close, neither the Ravens or Bengals can afford to lose this game. For the Ravens they want to maintain their lead as they sit at 2-2 in the division with a loss already to the Steelers and splitting the season series with the Browns. The Bengals are 0-2 in the division and with another loss it would give the Ravens a full three game lead while also owning any tiebreaker between the two teams.

Some of the keys to the Ravens week two victory was limited Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to just five catches for 31 yards, while also offensively rushing for 178 yards. Lamar Jackson was not sacked one time and was able to throw for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson has only thrown for more yards and more touchdowns one other time this season.

The Bengals rank 30th in total rushing yards given up per game defensively while also ranking near the bottom in passing yards allowed per game. The run game will once again be key for this Ravens team tonight as limiting how many time Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is on the field, and limiting any chance for big plays by the Bengals offense will be key to a Ravens victory. M&T bank is expected to be loud and full of energy, and a quick Ravens start as lead to a lot of success for this team as the defense has largely played lights out making double digit leads nearly impossible to overcome. While it won’t be easy, a primetime game in Baltimore, with so much at stake its hard to not see the Ravens come out victorious. Ravens win 24-20.

Line: Baltimore -3.5

Over/Under: 45.5

All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 29-26

Last Meeting: 9/17/23 Baltimore 27-24