Kick-off on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Baltimore Ravens (6-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-5)
AFC North duel to begin the tenth week of competition. The Cincinnati Bengals travel 800 kilometers east to meet their rivals the Baltimore Ravens.
After a first act won by the Ravens at the end of the suspense in week 5 (41-38), the two teams are looking for a victory this Thursday. The Ravens to stay in the wake of the Steelers in the race for the division title. The Bengals, already with 5 defeats on the clock, to maintain a chance of going to the playoffs next January.
The Baltimore bulldozer is running at full speed
The Denver Broncos were allowing an average of 15 points per game this season. Then they crossed paths with the Baltimore steamroller. Carried by a always sparkling Lamar Jackson/Derrick Henry duo, the Ravens scored 41 points on the Colorado players.
The first named is once again on an MVP pace. With 20 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions this season, he has the best rating in the league (120.7). This Sunday, he also threw as many touchdowns (three) as incomplete passes, all while establishing his fourth career perfect rating, a record. At his side, cruising speed for Derrick Henry with his 106 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The running back is the first player since Shaun Alexander (2005) to rack up 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. He also averaged 116.9 yards per game, a record for a player's first season with a team. More generally, Baltimore now has 42 consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing… One unit away from the league record. Record which is likely to be equaled this Thursday.
Defensively, Baltimore, on the other hand, is the embodiment of bipolarism. Best squad against the run (75.7 yards conceded per game), it leaves only 3.4 yards per attempt to opposing runners. Conversely, it is the worst pass defense in the league (281 yards per game and 7.4 yards per attempt). Pragmatists will say that these stats are explained by the fact that Baltimore often leads the race, but aerial weaknesses can become a problem. Even more so when the second best quarterback in the league (according to the PFF index) shows up…
The highest-graded QBs this season 🎯 pic.twitter.com/aw3GHFn74o
— PFF (@PFF) November 5, 2024
The Bengals are now looking up
Cincinnati almost came out of its hole by winning for the third time in four games this Sunday. Joe Burrow had his second game of the year with five touchdowns thrown. Quite an achievement considering all other NFL quarterbacks only have one. Only one… In total (Lamar Jackson against Tampa Bay)! With stats worthy of an MVP, the quarterback completed 70.2% of his passes for 2,244 yards and 20 touchdowns. And like Batman can count on Robin, Burrow can count on Ja'Marr Chase. In nine games, the latter has 55 receptions for 717 yards (13.0 average) and seven touchdowns. Explosive, he has already accumulated eight receptions of more than 20 yards, including one of 70 yards against these same Ravens.
If the attack is well established, unfortunately the same cannot be said of the defense. Receiving a ton of points against the Commanders (38) or the Ravens (41), she is the main reason for Cincinnati's complicated start to the season. Positive things to remember all the same, since the group has found color in recent weeks, like Trey Hendrickson (EDGE) and his four sacks on Sunday (career record). He becomes the third Bengals player to do so and now leads the league with 11 sacks. A revival which rhymes with a return of victories for the Ohio franchise. To be confirmed against the Maryland armada.
Players to watch: Zay Flowers & Chase Brown
In addition to the Jackson/Henry duo, Zay Flowers (WR) has now established himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL. At the top of the rankings in yards received (496) and yards after reception (232) since week 5, he found the perfect alchemy with his quarterback. With four games over 100 yards this season, he even seems on track to break franchise records. Cincinnati was also part of these matches, will he be able to repeat the performance?
In Cincinnati, Chase Brown (HB) won the number 1 running back spot at the expense of Zack Moss. And since he started, the 24-year-old runner has given new impetus to the Bengals attack. With an average of 4.6 yards per carry while being available in the passing game, he has already scored 6 touchdowns this season. Having just seen Khalil Herbert arrive to compete with him, his motivation will be put to the test. Enough to find that little something extra against the terrible front 7 of Baltimore.
The prediction: Baltimore Ravens
Rain of touchdowns in sight! With a total of 79 points scored during the last confrontation, the spectacle is expected under the lights of M&T Bank Stadium. But, if the two attacks are among the best in the league, the Ravens squad seems more complete than that of the Bengals. Advantage to the premises which will be supported by their public.
