Bengals vs. Ravens Thursday Night Football Picks: Expect a Shootout in Baltimore

Burrow Shined as Cincinnati Beat Las Vegas

Joe Burrow matched his career best with five touchdown passes, while Chase Brown powered the ground game with a personal high of 120 rushing yards, as the Cincinnati Bengals secured their first home victory by dominating the Las Vegas Raiders, 41-17, on Sunday.

Burrow completed 27 of 39 passes for 251 yards, connecting for touchdowns with Brown, Andrei Iosivas, Drew Sample, and twice with Mike Gesicki. However, Burrow’s otherwise stellar performance was marred by an interception that Jack Jones returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Gesicki was a key target, tallying five receptions for 100 yards.

Brown took advantage of Zack Moss’ absence, handling a season-high 27 carries and delivering consistent gains for a Bengals team that has struggled on the ground this season.

Jackson Helped Baltimore Bounce Back

Lamar Jackson showcased his precision with 280 passing yards and three touchdowns, achieving a perfect passer rating as the Ravens cruised past the Denver Broncos, 41-10, on Sunday.

The Ravens’ defense, under pressure recently, didn’t force a punt until the third quarter but managed key fourth-down stops early on, allowing Baltimore to pull ahead and bounce back from last week’s loss to Cleveland. Zay Flowers contributed five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns, while Derrick Henry rushed for 107 yards and two scores.

Henry hit a series of career milestones, reaching his 100th and 101st rushing touchdowns and surpassing 1,000 rushing yards on the season for the sixth time. Henry has now scored in every game this season, joining the elite ranks of LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-09) and Adrian Peterson (2007-13) with 10 or more rushing touchdowns in seven consecutive seasons.

Key Matchups

Burrow’s precision passing, paired with Brown’s breakthrough on the ground, offers Cincinnati a balanced attack, albeit one that can be turnover-prone.

Meanwhile, the Ravens’ offense, driven by Jackson, has been efficient both in the air and on the ground with Henry reaching historic milestones. The Ravens’ ability to control the game through ball control and defensive pressure could be the deciding factor in this game.

Joe Burrow vs. Ravens Defense

Burrow’s impressive outing with five touchdown passes highlights his ability to spread the ball around effectively. However, his tendency to take risks—like the interception returned for a touchdown last week—could become a concern against a Ravens defense that’s known for capitalizing on mistakes.

If Baltimore can disrupt Burrow’s rhythm and force him into high-pressure situations, the Bengals may find it challenging to sustain long drives. Burrow’s connection with his wide receivers will be essential in stretching the field and exploiting Baltimore’s secondary.

Chase Brown vs. Ravens Run Defense

With Moss sidelined Brown proved he could carry the load with a season-high 27 carries and 120 rushing yards against Las Vegas. Baltimore, however, boasts a defense that, while inconsistent, can make key stops in high-leverage situations.

If the Ravens can limit Brown’s production on early downs, they’ll force the Bengals into a pass-heavy approach, which might lead to more mistakes under pressure. Brown’s ability to gain chunks of yardage will be crucial to prevent Baltimore from focusing solely on Burrow.

Lamar Jackson vs. Bengals Defense

Jackson’s perfect passer rating from Sunday shows just how efficient he can be, and with Flowers providing a deep threat, Baltimore’s offense can strike quickly. Cincinnati’s defense will need to be disciplined in their coverage and close in on Jackson before he can extend plays.

Jackson’s dual-threat nature means the Bengals’ pass rush will need to contain the edges, minimizing his scrambling ability, which could otherwise wear down Cincinnati’s defense.

Derrick Henry vs. Bengals Run Defense

Henry’s milestone-reaching performance on Sunday put him in elite company, and his presence allows Baltimore to control the tempo. The Bengals will have to focus on stopping Henry early, as his power running style has proven to be a difference-maker, especially in the red zone.

If Cincinnati’s front seven can hold Henry to short gains, they can force Baltimore into a pass-first approach. However, if Henry gets rolling, Baltimore’s balanced attack will be difficult to counter.

Special Teams and Turnovers

Turnovers could swing momentum in this matchup. Baltimore’s defense has already shown it can turn takeaways into points, and any miscues from Burrow could give the Ravens an advantage in field position and control of the game. Special teams play, including field position battles, could further impact the pace, favoring the team that can capitalize on miscues.

The Pick

This game is likely to be a battle of efficiency and ball control. Baltimore’s potent rushing game and Jackson’s precision passing give them a slight edge in terms of offensive consistency.

Cincinnati’s offense, although explosive, may struggle to maintain momentum if turnovers arise, especially against a Ravens defense that’s aggressive in critical moments. If Burrow can limit mistakes and Brown can keep Baltimore’s defense honest on the ground, the Bengals will stay competitive in a high-scoring game.

NFL Pick: Over 51 (-110) at BetOnline

Over 51 (-110)

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