CINCINNATI @ BALTIMORE (BAL -6, 52.5)
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BENGALS @ RAVENS 11/7/24
The Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night in a rematch of an overtime thriller earlier this season, bringing together two AFC North rivals hoping to make a big impression on the national scene.
In Cincinnati on October 6, Baltimore fell behind by ten points three times in the second half but pulled even in the closing two minutes. The Ravens then defeated the Bengals 41-38 after overcoming a turnover in overtime.
The Ravens (6-3) are currently a half game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) in the AFC North after defeating the Denver Broncos 41-10 in Baltimore on Sunday. Lamar Jackson completed 16-of-19 for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
The Ravens are the top offense in the NFL with an average of 445.9 total yards per game. Baltimore has scored at least 41 points three times this season. Jackson, a two-time MVP, has thrown 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions in nine games and leads the NFL in passer rating (120.7).
With Derrick Henry leading the league in rushing yards (1,052) and total touchdowns (13), Baltimore's top-ranked ground attack is averaging 191.9 yards per game. Against Cincinnati, Jackson hopes to build on his stellar 9-1 record in ten lifetime starts.
After defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 41-24 for their first home victory of the season, the Bengals (4-5) are also coming off a 41-point performance. Joe Burrow became the only NFL quarterback to record five touchdown passes in multiple games this season after completing his first 15 pass attempts and matching his career high of five touchdown passes. The first time he threw five TDs occurred during the Ravens' defeat.
Over the past week, injuries have severely impacted the Bengals' offense. In the first half against the Raiders, rookie tight end Erick All Jr. suffered a torn right ACL, and running back Chase Brown hurt his ribs. He’ll take some time to recover.
The Bengals acquired Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday after running back Zack Moss, who carried the majority of the load early in the season, found out that he is sidelined indefinitely due to a neck injury.
Cincinnati rarely makes trades during the regular season. However, this season, Brown was the only running back with a carry on the roster besides Moss, who was placed on injured reserve. Head coach Zac Taylor stated that Herbert, wearing uniform number 34, was at the team facility prior to the trade deadline and could play on Thursday.
After missing the previous two weeks due to a quadriceps injury, the Bengals are hoping to have their star receiver, Tee Higgins, back in the lineup. Orlando Brown Jr., the starting left tackle, is also hoping to make a comeback after missing Sunday's game due to a right knee injury.
Trey Hendrickson, a defensive end, recorded four sacks against the Raiders, bringing his season total to an all-time high of 11.
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Coach Rick Free PICK
FREE PICK: JA’MARR CHASE OVER 79.5 RECEIVING YARDS
Chase hasn’t come close to this number since his first game against Baltimore. In that Week 5 game, Chase was targeted 12 times and ended up with 10 catches for 193 yards. Over the past four games, Chase is averaging right around 56 yards per game. This seems like the perfect time to bounce back to the big numbers. The Ravens have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. They have allowed 8 different receivers to record 80 or more passing yards through nine weeks.