Four things to watch for in Bengals-Ravens on Prime Video, NFL+

If the first matchup was any indication, Bengals-Ravens could make for a Thursday night banger.

The Bengals led the Ravens three separate times in the second half of their Week 5 meeting in Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson led five scores in the final 25 minutes of regulation and overtime to deliver a thrilling comeback win for the Ravens.

This game is as good a QB matchup as you could hope for. Jackson is currently surpassing his numbers from his 2023 MVP campaign, and Burrow is also on a great track with a 20-4 TD-INT ratio completing more than 70% of his passes.

It was the Week 11 meeting in Baltimore last year when the Bengals fell back to .500 and lost Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury, effectively closing the door on the postseason. Currently 4-5, Cincinnati is third in the AFC North and ninth in the AFC standings, and a loss – with several tough opponents remaining – could be a death blow to their playoff chances.

Both teams were also active at the trade deadline. The Ravens added a wide receiver Diontae Johnson and cornerback Tre’Davious White and the typically passive Bengals switched to running back Khalil Herbert from the Bears. How much all the new players contribute on Thursday is highly speculative, but it’s at least clear that both teams are going into this meeting with a win-now mentality.

Here are four things to watch for when the Bengals visit the Ravens Thursday night on Prime Video and NFL+:

1) The Bengals D needs to hold up much better in this game. Even with a setback against the Eagles in Week 8, the Bengals defense has shown improvement across the board from how it fared earlier in the season. The unit appeared to bottom out in the first loss to the Ravens before the recent resurgence. In that game, Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo blew relentlessly and it cost them. Jackson tore up Cincinnati when it went cover-0 (on nearly a quarter of his dropbacks!), completing seven of 11 passes for 68 yards and three TDs. Of course, Jackson also had success as the Bengals went no-hitter. The only minor successes they had in that game were using two-high safety shells, but it wasn’t enough. The Bengals didn’t have a slot CB Mike Hilton in the first matchup; he’s back, which can make a difference. And since the last meeting, the Bengals have passed rushers Trey Hendrickson has been on a tear, with eight of his NFL-best 11 sacks coming in that span. Sam Hubbard and Logan Wilson have also upped their game. Henry, who ran for 92 yards and a TD the first time around, will be a load to handle again. But perhaps the biggest concern lies in the rear end. Can the Bengals cover all of the Ravens’ weapons in the passing game — and handle Jackson as a scrambler — for 60 minutes?

2) How much more can Diontae Johnson add? Johnson was quiet in his Ravens debut last week, playing 16 snaps and not being targeted in the blowout win over Denver. Expect to see more of Johnson in the mix going forward, but the Ravens already have a strong core with them Zay flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholoralong with backflow Derrick Henry and a strong group of tight ends. In the first meeting with the Bengals, Jackson had success throwing to almost everyone. But the Ravens’ TE production that day was eye-opening. Isaiah Probably caught two TD passes, including arguably the play of the year from Jackson when he recovered a fumbled snap and hit Likely for a massive TD in the fourth quarter. Charlie Kolar and Mark Andrews each had big catches over the middle of 25-plus yards, combining for seven catches, 119 receiving yards and a touchdown. Each had at least one catch of over 25 yards. But Johnson backstopped the Bengals in Week 4 with the Panthers, catching seven passes for 83 yards and a TD. He did most of his work against Cam Taylor-Britt; Johnson had less success when the Bengals’ DJ Turner covered him. With likely out on Thursday with a hamstring injury, Johnson could see a bigger role.

3) The Bengals’ running game could be in rough shape. The Bengals offense still runs through Burrow and the passing game and WR T-shirt Higgins is doubtful to play due to a quad injury that sidelined him for the past two weeks. Status of LT Orlando Brown (knee/fibula), is also in doubt and he is in doubt about TNF. Anyway, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the many weapons that pass the game remain Cincy’s bread and butter. The Ravens had few answers for Chase and Higgins last time out, as they combined for 19 catches, 276 yards and four TDs. Burrows’ late INT was costly, but he was otherwise nuclear against Baltimore’s defense. The question is whether the Bengals can forge anything resembling a running game. Zack Moss (neck) is done for the year. Chase Brown is hoping to get through a rib injury. The Bengals also lost rookie TE Erick All Jr., one of their main run blockers. The Khalil Herbert trade helps, but can he step in right after Tuesday’s trade? Brown has been one of their third-down backs, but hasn’t always done well in the pass pro. It’s not Herbert’s specialty either, so they might have to use him as a change of pace. The good news is that he has fresh legs after touching the ball 10 times in six games for Chicago. The Ravens will likely dare the Bengals to run the ball, featuring light boxes and several deep safeties. Will the Bengals commit?

4) The Ravens defense must also answer the bell. The Ravens traded for Rams CB Tre’Davious White, though it remains to be seen if he can jump right into the mix for this game and help, considering he hasn’t had much time to assimilate and hasn’t played since Week 4 .The move underscored the struggles and health problems in Baltimore secondarily. That group struggled against Cincinnati in Week 5 and has had other tough games, though strong outings against the Bills earlier in the season and this past Sunday against the Broncos give hope that this unit can pull off a scare. Brandon Stephens had his hands full, like Marlon Humphreybut Baltimore’s safety was also a big reason for the defensive breakdowns in Week 5. Even Kyle Hamiltonunit standout, had a critical foul with a penalty on a two-point play; he hasn’t had the season he had in 2023, and he could stand to make some game-changing plays on Thursday. The Ravens had a little more success in the first meeting when they weren’t getting shot, so coming home with four rushers and maintaining coverage on the back end could be critical. If the Ravens want to consider themselves one of the NFL’s elite, they need to play defense closer to the level they did in 2023.