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Everything You Need to Know: Ravens vs. Bengals

Week 9 Gameday Preview

In a rematch of a thrilling Week 5 contest that the Ravens won in overtime, Baltimore (6-3) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) on 'Thursday Night Football.'

Basics

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:15 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium

TV: WMAR Channel 2 (Baltimore) and Amazon Prime Streaming (national). Amazon crew: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Kaylee Hartung (sideline)

Radio: WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch.81 or 226. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst). Westwood One Sports: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Devin McCourty (analyst)

History

The Ravens hold a 31-27 edge in the all-time series, including regular season and postseason.

In Week 5, the Ravens won a memorable 41-38 overtime game in Cincinnati. Lamar Jackson, who threw four touchdowns, added a remarkable highlight to his resume on a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely. After he stiff-armed 265-pound defensive lineman Sam Hubbard twice, Jackson faded and launched a leaping throw from the 20-yard line while being hit by linebacker Jermaine Pratt. Likely leapt between two Cincinnati defenders for the touchdown.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was also brilliant, throwing for five touchdowns and 392 yards. However, he was intercepted late in the fourth quarter by Marlon Humphrey, setting up a game-tying 56-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. Derrick Henry's 51-yard run in overtime set up Tucker's chip shot game-winner.

Stakes

The Ravens can sweep the season series with Cincinnati and win for the seventh time in eight weeks. That would keep them neck-and-neck with the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2), who the Ravens will visit in Week 11. The Bengals have called this a "must-win" game and can get back to .500 after an 0-3 start. A loss would damage their playoff hopes and make it difficult for Cincinnati to catch either Baltimore or Pittsburgh.

Key Storylines

Do the Bengals have an answer for Jackson?

Jackson has a 9-1 career record against the Bengals as a starter. In three games against Cincinnati with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has eight touchdown passes, no interceptions, and has averaged 283 yards passing per game. Playing against the Ravens twice every season hasn't helped the Bengals contain Jackson. It will be interesting to see what the Bengals try defensively, but they have a Jackson problem they need to solve.

Will Baltimore's pass defense cool off Burrow?

Burrow threw for five touchdowns against the Ravens in Week 5, then did it again versus the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend. He and Jackson could turn this game into another shootout. The Ravens believe they're on the right track toward solving their issues defensively, but they'll find out how much progress they've made when they face Burrow.

Can the Ravens continue their primetime dominance?

The Ravens are 8-0 at home on Thursday night under Head Coach John Harbaugh. They are 21-3 under Harbaugh in primetime home games. The Ravens are fueled by the electric atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium at night. Wearing their "Purple Rising" helmets for the first time, the Ravens will try to parlay that energy into another victory.

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682: A High-Stakes Game; Previewing Ravens vs. Bengals

Team insiders Ryan Mink and Clifton Brown talk about Lamar Jackson's status, how the Ravens offense can stay hot, how Baltimore's defense could switch its approach vs. the Bengals, and much more before 'Thursday Night Football' against the Bengals.

Players to Watch

RB Derrick Henry

Already over 1,000 yards for the season, Henry didn't get his usual workload against Cincinnati in Week 5 (15 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown). However, his 51-yard run in overtime helped seal the victory, and the Ravens may give Henry more touches on Thursday night, particularly in the second half when he's usually at his best.

WR Zay Flowers

Flowers has been the NFL’s most productive receiver since Week 5 and had seven catches for 111 yards against the Bengals last month. His ability to gain yards after the catch is uncanny, and he's a threat to make big plays against Cincinnati's secondary.

ILB Roquan Smith

Giving up 38 points to Cincinnati last month was not what Baltimore had in mind. As one of the leaders of the Ravens' defense, Smith will be fired up to raise his game while lifting his teammates in the process. Smith has been vocal about his disdain for the Bengals.

Watch out for these five matchups on 'Thursday Night Football.'

Ryan_Matt
Matt Ryan

Editorial Intern

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