Ravens Insider: Ravens vs. Bengals staff picks: Who will win Thursday’s game in Baltimore?

[ExtremeRavens]

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Thursday night’s Week 10 game between the Ravens (6-3) and Bengals (4-5) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore:

C.J. Doon, editor

Ravens 31, Bengals 22: This is a fascinating inflection point on the Ravens’ schedule. Win this game, and the AFC North title remains well within reach for Baltimore while forcing Cincinnati to go 5-2 or better down the stretch to have a shot at competing for a playoff berth. Lose, and the division race gets even tighter while dropping the Ravens into a potentially crowded field of wild-card contenders. Those are the stakes you hope for entering every prime-time game.

While the Bengals are a scary matchup with the way Joe Burrow is playing, the likely absence of wide receiver Tee Higgins makes this game a lot more manageable for the Ravens’ defense. Tight end Mike Gesicki has emerged of late and the addition of running back Khalil Herbert from the Bears is a nice complement to impressive second-year back Chase Brown, but the Ravens will have a healthy secondary and trade deadline acquisition Tre’Davious White to help out in coverage. Even if Burrow stays hot, it’s going to be difficult for the Bengals and their poor defense (25th in DVOA) to outscore Lamar Jackson and company.

Could this be the game Diontae Johnson makes an impact? Zay Flowers’ emergence could draw more attention from the Bengals’ defense, and the absence of tight end Isaiah Likely could open up opportunities in the passing game if the Ravens prefer to go with more three- and four-wide receiver sets. Running back Keaton Mitchell is also an interesting wrinkle if he’s deemed healthy enough to make his season debut. The Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase connection is good enough to keep the Bengals in it, but Baltimore simply has too much firepower and should handle business at home.

Tim Schwartz, editor

Ravens 38, Bengals 34: Another high-scoring game, you say? Of course. That’s the Baltimore way.

The Ravens have flipped their script, becoming the league’s offensive juggernaut while their defense has largely flopped. But the NFL’s best defense from a year ago has an opportunity to show Sunday’s positive performance against the Broncos is the start of their turnaround by facing the Bengals and Joe Burrow for a second time. Burrow has lit up Baltimore’s defense throughout his career, including a five-touchdown performance a month ago, but it looks like there’s a good chance he’ll be without Tee Higgins in this one.

We know Lamar Jackson will make plays in the passing game, but the key for me is Derrick Henry. If the Ravens can get him going early and play a balanced game, control some clock and prevent Burrow and company from dominating the time of possession, I like their chances at improving to 7-3 and all but ending Cincinnati’s hopes of winning the AFC North.

Bennett Conlin, editor

Ravens 34, Bengals 28: For NFL fans, this is a dream “Thursday Night Football” matchup. Two of the best quarterbacks square off after playing a high-scoring thriller in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, with the Ravens winning that game, 41-38, in overtime. Joe Burrow threw five touchdown passes, while Lamar Jackson threw four and eclipsed 400 total yards. Can either middling defense stop the other superstar quarterback this time? I’m not banking on it.

While I don’t see the teams combining to score 79 points this time, it’ll be hard for either defense to consistently get the other off the field. The Ravens won the first matchup, and home-field advantage should add a slight edge for Baltimore in the second meeting between division rivals.

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13.

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