Thursday Night Football: Bengals at Ravens Expert Pick – November 16, 2023

There is finally a great matchup on Thursday night!

The Bengals are traveling to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, who have scored 30+ points in four consecutive games. Both teams had their four-game winning streak snapped last week and will look to bounce back on a short week. One has more significant injuries than the other, which may change the outcome of this game.

Related: Celtics vs. 76ers Expert Pick

The Odds

Kickoff

When: Thursday, 7:15 pm, November 16, 2023

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

TV: Amazon Prime

Public Money: Bengals, 72%

Public Bets: Bengals, 82%

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, correct as of  November 15th, 2023.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals lost to the Texans last week, 30-27, thanks to the leg of Matt Ammendola and the arm of C.J. Stroud. Tee Higgins missed the game and is in jeopardy of missing another game. He did not practice on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury.

Defensive end Sam Hubbard did not participate in practice on Tuesday. Trey Hendrickson (knee) was a limited participant and will have a shot at playing on Thursday. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (knee) was a full participant Tuesday and is on track to play.

Baltimore Ravens

The Browns beat the Ravens 33 to 31 on a game-winning field goal by Dustin Hopkins. The big injury news for the Ravens involves left tackle Ronnie Staley. He did not practice on Tuesday due to a knee injury. Odell Beckham Jr. also sat out on Tuesday due to a sore knee, but it may be more of a rest situation for a veteran with a history of knee injuries.

Marlon Humphrey was also out of practice on Tuesday due to a calf injury. Kyle Van Noy (groin) did not practice on Tuesday. Both players are fighting an uphill battle to suit up on Thursday.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens Head-To-Head

The Ravens could have a bit of good fortune this week for injuries. Ronnie Stanley missing the game would be a massive blow to the offense, but it could get better by the injury news surrounding Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. Hendrickson has 8.5 sacks this season, and Hubbard has chipped in four sacks of the team’s 23 total sacks. The Bengals missing their best pass rushers would be a major factor in the outcome of this game. Lamar Jackson has gotten sacked the seventh most (24) of any quarterback this season.

These teams met in week two, and the Ravens won by three. Ja’Marr Chase was limited to five receptions for 31 yards, and Tee Higgins had eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase will have to pick up the slack this week, as Higgins is trending in the wrong direction towards playing. The Ravens give up the third-fewest total yards (305.3) per game and allow the fewest points (15.7) per game.

The Bengals allow 136.2 rushing yards per game, the third most in the league. The Ravens rush for 154.9 yards per game and have a big-play back in the mix now. Keaton Mitchell has seen his snap share jump from zero to 18% and 24% last week. He has had 12 attempts for 172 yards and two touchdowns over two weeks. That equates to 14.3 yards per carry. His snap share should increase this week, and he could be the difference-maker in this game.

Prediction

Over/Under

The total is 46 on DraftKings Sportsbook, and I would take the over. Both teams have scored at least 27.3 points per game over their last three games and have a short week to prepare for each other’s offense.

Spread

The Ravens are -4 at home on Thursday. They have the rushing advantage and could also benefit from Higgins missing. The Ravens -4 is the side I would play.

Player Prop

Keaton Mitchell averages 14.3 yards per carry and is facing a defense that allows five yards per rushing attempt. His longest rush over/under is 13.5, and I would take the over.