Ravens @ Bengals Week 5 Preview

Well, it's nice to know that the Bengals remember how to win, and, almost as importantly, close out a game. The Panthers kept playing until the clock was triple zeros and played with a decent amount of confidence with former Bengal Andy Dalton under center.

Still, this was a game that the Bengals, by all reasonable expectations, were supposed to win. And win they did, Chase Brown found the end zone twice, Joe Burrow passed for a pair of touchdowns, even kicker Evan McPherson was perfect on PATs. . .and a pair of long field goals.

Hopefully this marks the start of an in-season rebirth as this week they face a similarly struggling opponent, and AFC North rival, Baltimore.

Ravens (2-2) @ Cincinnati (1-3)

Kickoff - 1p CBS

Line - Baltimore -2.5 O/u 48.5

Series - 30-27-0

Last meeting - Baltimore 34-20 on 11/16/2023 in Baltimore, MD

Secondary Vs. Wide Receivers

Listening to Marlon Humphries this week it wasn't hard to see where he thinks this game will be won or lost - the Baltimore secondary Vs. Cincinnati receivers. With the Bengals coming off of their first win and being a complete team for the first time this season this week, he may not be far off.

Since Joe Burrow has been in the league, the Ravens are 4-3 against the former #1 pick with all the losses coming when they manage to shut down his receivers (Avg <120 yards receiving) and losing when they fail (Bengals average 287+ yards/game). Baltimore has also allowed a league-worst 20 receptions of 20 or more yards.

With the Ravens missing Arthur Maulet and the Bengals having a healthy receiving corps, let's hope for the best.

Bits and Baubles

Bengals - The Bengals started last season 1-3 before going on a four game win streak that included wins over Seattle, Buffalo, and Super Bowl participant San Francisco.

Ravens - Derrick Henry is 18 yards rushing from 10,000 and 1 TD from 100 for his career.

Injury Report

Bengals

Sheldon Rankins - DT - Questionable (Hamstring)

Myles Murphy - DE - Questionable (Knee)

Mike Hilton - CB - Questionable (Knee)

McKinley Jackson - DT - Questionable (Knee)

Ravens

Keaton Mitchell - RB - OUT (Knee)

Arthur Maulet - CB - OUT (Knee-IR)

Rasheen Ali - RB - Questionable (Neck)

Andrew Vorhees - OG - Questionable (Ankle)

Deonte Hardy - WR - Questionable (Knee)

Fantasy Advice

Look for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to have 80+ yards receiving each, you shouldn't be doubting playing either of them. If you need a streaming option this week with Philly, Detroit, Chargers, and Tennessee on a bye, you could do worse that Andrei Iosivas.

Zay Flowers has had two pretty quiet weeks in a row, look for that to end this week. Until we get a "prove it" game from Mark Andrews, he's a non-starter in any fantasy league.

Prediction

Ravens 27-21