This is potentially the best Thursday Night Football matchup of 2023. It promises to be a good one. The 5-4 Bengals will visit the 7-3 Ravens tonight in Baltimore. The Ravens are looking like a strong title contender right now. On offense, they're averaging 154.9 rushing yards per game, which is the best in the NFL. The rushing attack could become even more dangerous if the emergence of rookie RB Keaton Mitchell continues. In two games, Mitchell adds a speed element in the backfield to complement the power of Gus Edwards. In two games, the rookie has rushed for 172 yards and 2 TDs on just 12 carries. Expect Baltimore to get him more involved because that type of playmaking ability is hard to find in this league. The Ravens have also been effective on defense. They lead the league in two key statistics: they've sacked opposing quarterbacks 39 times and they allow just 4.2 yards per play. I believe in this matchup Baltimore can contain the Cincinnati attack to a few yards at a time and turn up the pressure on Joe Burrow in 3rd down and in long yardage situations. The Bengals have struggled to find answers on 3rd downs - they've converted just 37.3% on 3rd down, which is 20th in football.
As far as predictions go, I think we will see a big game from Ravens' TE Mark Andrews. For his standards, Andrews has been relatively quiet lately. But Cincy has struggled against tight ends in recent games. Dalton Schultz, Dalton Kincaid, and George Kittle each found space against the Bengals' D, with Kittle torching them most for 9 receptions, 149 yards. Andrews will get back on track and have an impact tonight. On the Bengals' side, star receiver JaMarr Chase was shut down by Baltimore in the first matchup between these sides in September (5 receptions, 31 yards on 8 targets. It was Tee Higgins who Burrow counted on to move the ball in that game. Higgins will not play tonight due to a hamstring injury. I think the Ravens will key in on Chase again in this one, so I like Tyler Boyd to be very involved out of the slot. Last week without Higgins in the lineup, Boyd caught 8 balls for 117 yards. In the first Ravens-Bengals game, Boyd had 6 catches for 52 yards. I am confident he will have at least 5 catches again tonight.
Ultimately, I think the Ravens will win a very physical football game. Cincy has shown a vulnerability to a physical, run-oriented approach (previous loss to Baltimore, loss to Cleveland with Nick Chubb, loss to Tennessee, allowed Devin Singletary to pop for 150 yards) and I think the Ravens, in the comfort of home, will get out to an early lead and Burrow will give Gincy a late chance to come back and fall short. I'm predicting a 27-22 Ravens victory.
Predictions:
Ravens -3.5 (-110)
Ravens to Lead After 1st Quarter (+100)
Mark Andrews Over 58.5 Receiving Yards (-140)
Mark Andrews to Score Anytime (+125)
Tyler Boyd Over 4.5 Receptions (+105)
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