Bengals vs. Ravens Picks & Predictions: NFL Week 10

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5 SU, 5-4 ATS) vs. Baltimore Ravens (6-3 SU, 5-3-1 ATS)
NFL Football Week 10
Date/Time: Thursday Night Football, November 7, 2024 at 8:15 PM EST
Where: MT&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
TV: Prime Video

The Cincinnati Bengals make the trip to MT&T Stadium for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. This AFC North showdown is for high stakes, as the Bengals can get to .500 and put themselves back in the division thick with a win here. Both teams enter this with a little head of steam. On Sunday, a 41-24 win over the Raiders was the Bengals’ third win in four games. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Ravens hammered the Broncos, 41-10, to win their 6th out of 7 games. Who can get it done for us on Thursday?

A Little Reference

Both of these teams are trying to make up for lost time, with the Ravens having done a better job of that, overcoming a 0-2 start to the season and since going 6-1. But after falling to the Browns in a bad upset loss and with Lamar Jackson having been making mistakes, Sunday was a really good development to restore order. With there having been issues on both sides of the ball, Sunday was a big deal, as their offense got a high-end performance, along with their “D” finally showing its fangs, playing stout and making big plays.

For the Bengals, the start to the season was even worse, opening up with three straight losses and sitting at 1-4 after five games. They fought to get it back to 4-5 but still have work to do. Still, they’re not out of it at all and aren’t far off from being right in this thing. With Joe Burrow throwing five touchdowns last week, we see a Cincy offense that is more often putting forth a top-end showing. But despite a lopsided win last week, the Bengals’ defense still has a lot to prove, and after giving up 61 points in their last two games, it remains a major hindrance.

The First Game

These teams met in week five in Cincinnati in a game that does provide some clues. Chief among the lot was the closeness of that overtime game, won deep into the OT period with a Justin Tucker FG to make it 41-38. Both quarterbacks had huge games, with Burrow throwing for five TDs and Jackson throwing for 4 TDs. Burrow was electric, with Chase and Higgins each having big games, but alas, both teams saw their respective defenses really not getting any traction in the game. Baltimore has at least seen their defense play decently last week, albeit against Denver at home—not the toughest test. But after winning last week here, they return to their home-building in what might be an easier spot for them than it is for Cincy, taking to the road on the short week.

What to Expect

I’d stop short of predicting we will see the same aerial offensive explosion we saw in week five, though it certainly figures into the equation. For Cincinnati, it’d be nice for them to have Higgins in there close to full health. Last week, they could get by without it. This week, they need all the firepower they can get. With Lamar Jackson having a good season, Derrick Henry excelling in that backfield, and Zay Flowers and the other Baltimore pass-catchers doing their thing, this is not a good game in which to be underpowered, as we still saw the Bengals at home in this first matchup come up just short even with Higgins having a big day.

Last week could provide false comfort from those deriving too much meaning from the Ravens holding Denver to ten points. They have still spent the bulk of the first half of the season underperforming and allowing gobs of points in spots. This is a spot against a team that has already shown they can take it to them, and one shouldn’t be shocked if they revert to prior form. Still, something tells me that between these two defenses, the Ravens are more likely to see a turnaround on that side of the ball. We’ve seen this Baltimore “D” do an about-face before. With the Bengals, you get this feeling that even if they get their offense to start hitting on all cylinders on a more regular basis, that defense is going to be a major drawback all season.

In any event, I suspect a game that is not light on offense on Thursday. The short week presents challenges for the Bengals personnel-wise, as having a 100% version of Higgins in a few days after he missed Sunday’s game seems to be an iffy proposition. And while that still needs to be verified, and Cincy does have enough quality in the rest of their aerial package to make them still dangerous, it might cost them, whereas it didn’t last week.

Lay the Number

Granted, laying a number like this against a team like the Bengals isn’t comfortable. Cincy is really making a push at 4-5 to restore order this season, and a loss here would be a setback. I’d expect them to be out here really going for it in this critical road-divisional game. I just think that while the Baltimore defense has some upside, the same can’t be said for a Bengals’ defense that, unless put in the right position, can’t really be counted on to do their share. And as this game carries on to its late stages, I suspect that will be the breaking point that allows the Ravens to get to the finish line with the win and cover at home. I’ll take the Ravens.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread:

I’m betting on the Baltimore Ravens minus 5.5 points.