Week 10 of the NFL season kicks off with a juicy AFC North battle as the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football. This primetime clash could have major implications on the ultra-competitive divisional race. Let’s dive into the key storylines, betting insights, and fantasy advice you need to know ahead of this marquee matchup.
Ravens Aim to Solidify AFC North Lead
At 6-3, the Ravens currently sit atop the AFC North, but their lead is precarious. A win over the Bengals would give Baltimore a bit more breathing room and a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, the co-favorite to win NFL MVP, will look to dazzle with his unique dual-threat abilities. He leads the NFL’s highest scoring offense into a tough test against a stingy Bengals defense.
Bengals Fighting to Stay in Playoff Hunt
Cincinnati has fought back to 4-5 after a sluggish start, but they can ill afford many more losses if they want to return to the playoffs. Quarterback Joe Burrow has the Bengals offense humming, averaging over 30 points per game during their 3-1 stretch. The connection between Burrow and star receiver Ja’Marr Chase will be critical to success against a vulnerable Ravens secondary.
This is a huge game for both teams. The Ravens want to show they’re the class of the division, but the Bengals are desperate to stay in the hunt. I expect Burrow and Jackson to both shine in what should be a high-scoring affair.
– According to an NFL analyst familiar with the AFC North
Betting Breakdown
The Ravens enter as 6-point home favorites with an over/under of 52.5 points, the highest total on the Week 10 board. Some trends to consider:
- Burrow is 12-3 against the spread (ATS) as an underdog of at least 3 points
- Overs are 8-1 in Ravens games this season and 4-0 when they face losing teams
- The Bengals are a perfect 4-0 ATS on the road this season
Our experts are leaning toward taking the Bengals and the over in what should be a back-and-forth shootout. Bengals +6 and Over 52.5 are the consensus plays.
Fantasy Football Plays
This game is loaded with fantasy-relevant options.
For the Ravens, Mark Andrews is an elite tight end option, while Derrick Henry remains one of the game’s best RB1’s, let alone in a smash spot against a leaky Bengals run defense. Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers are solid WR plays, while Lamar Jackson’s rushing upside always puts him in the QB1 mix.
On the Bengals side, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins form one of the best WR duos in football and are weekly must-starts. Joe Burrow is on the QB1 borderline, while Joe Mixon offers high-end RB2 value if he suits up. Hayden Hurst is a TE streamer in a pinch.
| Ravens | Pos | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | QB1 | Joe Burrow |
| Derrick Henry | RB1 | Joe Mixon |
| Rashod Bateman | WR2/3 | Ja’Marr Chase |
| Zay Flowers | WR3/Flex | Tee Higgins |
| Mark Andrews | TE1 | Hayden Hurst |
The Bottom Line
This AFC North showdown has all the ingredients of an instant classic. Both the Ravens and Bengals boast high-powered offenses led by superstar quarterbacks, making this a potential shootout. The stakes couldn’t be higher in terms of the division race and playoff positioning. It’s a true toss-up, but our experts give the slight edge to Burrow and the Bengals to cover the spread in a thriller. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
