The Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives on Thursday Night Football.
The Cincinnati Bengals travel to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football to open the NFL’s Week 10 slate of games. A win would set the Bengals up with an even record and open a path to a division title. Losing wouldn’t end their outside shot at the NFL Playoffs, but it would warm the already thin ice they’re standing on.
Here are a few matchups that could decide the game.
Lou Anarumo vs. Lamar Jackson
Jackson is among the most electrifying players in all sports, and he’s playing at the top of his game. He can beat the Bengals with his arm, and everyone knows what he can do with his legs. The entire defense is on DEFCON 1, and the responsibility to keep Jackson from doing what he does is coming down to the long-time Bengals defensive coordinator.
If the Bengals are going to win on Thursday night, the individual defensive players will have to do their jobs, and Anarumo will have to pull something, or multiple somethings, out of his sleeve. They don’t call him the mad scientist for nothing.
Joe Burrow vs. Ravens secondary
Both Jackson and Burrow are playing at an MVP level. Burrow is fresh off a five-touchdown performance that seemed to disappoint him, and that was without Tee Higgins and Jermaine Burton, who was a healthy scratch. He’ll still be without Higgins, but Burton will be back, giving Burrow another weapon at his disposal.
The last time Burrow and the Ravens faced off, he had another five-touchdown performance. The Ravens defense has given up more plays of 20-plus yards than any other so far this season. There is potential for another big game for the Bengals quarterback.
Ja’Marr Chase vs. Extra Attention
One of the greatest benefits of having a WR2 of Higgins’ caliber is defenses can’t focus solely on Chase. Higgins will likely miss another game thanks to a leg injury suffered before the team’s Week 9 game, which means the Ravens can pay extra attention to Chase.
Burrow’s connection with Chase sometimes borders on otherworldly, and they’ll need it at full strength on Thursday night. In Week 5, Chase finished with 10 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins went for nine grabs, 83 yards, and two more scores. Higgins won’t be there this time. Hopefully, Chase can still get open with the extra attention sure to come his way.
Mike Gesicki/Jermaine Burton vs. What’s Left
While multiple eyes are tracking Chase, tight end Mike Gesicki and, hopefully, rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton can get open enough to give Burrow other options than Chase. If they do it well enough, Chase will get more opportunities one-on-one, and I’d bet on Chase every time in that scenario.
Gesicki has 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the last two weeks with Higgins out. With Burton added to the fray and Gesicki playing better, the hope is that Higgins’ absence will not negatively affect the offense too much.
Bengals defensive front vs. Derrick Henry
The last time the Bengals and Ravens played, Henry was held in check until he rattled off a 51-yard run in overtime after the missed kicked in overtime. Before that, he only averaged 2.9 yards per carry. He still leads the NFL in rushing yards, though, and is still the second most dangerous weapon on the Ravens’ offense.
If BJ Hill is able to play, the Bengals’ defensive front will hopefully be fully healthy. Lou Anarumo’s defense has had an up-and-down season, but it has struggled when it has faced a competent offense. The Ravens’ offense is beyond competent, and the defense is going to have to turn in its best performance yet to come out on top.
Finally, here are this week’s Bengals Reacts survey, where the majority of fans said they believe Joe Burrow is the best QB in the AFC North, but they aren’t exactly confident in the direction of this franchise moving forward.
