Ravens try for first 6-1 start when they host Bengals
CINCINNATI (4-2) at BALTIMORE (5-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE: Ravens by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook.
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Bengals 3-3, Ravens 3-3.
SERIES RECORD: Ravens lead series 27-23.
LAST MEETING: Ravens beat Bengals 38-3 on Jan. 3 at Cincinnati.
LAST WEEK: Bengals beat Lions 34-11; Ravens beat Chargers 34-6.
BENGALS OFFENSE: OVERALL (21), RUSH (20), PASS (18), SCORING (T-11).
BENGALS DEFENSE: OVERALL (8), RUSH (8), PASS (13), SCORING (5).
RAVENS OFFENSE: OVERALL (4), RUSH (4), PASS (11), SCORING (7).
RAVENS DEFENSE: OVERALL (18), RUSH (3), PASS (T-25), SCORING (7).
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Bengals minus-2; Ravens minus-2.
BENGALS PLAYER TO WATCH: Rookie WR Ja'Marr Chase is second in the AFC with 553 yards receiving. Now he goes up against a Baltimore secondary that was struggling before playing much better last weekend against Los Angeles.
RAVENS PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Josh Bynes, now in his third stint with the Ravens, played well an increased role in the middle of Baltimore's defense last weekend. Bynes played in all 16 games for Cincinnati last season.
KEY MATCHUP: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson against the Cincinnati defense. Baltimore didn't need Jackson to be spectacular against the Chargers, but Cincinnati's defensive performance so far suggests the Ravens won't have it as easy this weekend.
KEY INJURIES: Bengals C Trey Hopkins (knee) and DT Josh Tupou (knee) missed practice time this week. ... The Ravens put OL Ronnie Stanley (ankle) on injured reserve. ... Baltimore was missing WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) last weekend. ... RB Latavius Murray (ankle) and C Bradley Bozeman (back) were injured for Baltimore against the Chargers.
SERIES NOTES: In 2018, Cincinnati took a 23-22 series lead, the first time the Bengals had led it since they were up 3-2. Baltimore, however, has won the last five meetings. ... The Ravens rushed for 404 yards in their most recent matchup with Cincinnati. ... Since 2010, 14 of the 22 meetings have been one-score decisions. However, Baltimore has won the last three by a combined score of 114-19.
STATS AND STUFF: The Bengals are tied for second in the NFL in fourth-down efficiency (6 for 8, 75%). ... Chase is tops in the NFL with five receptions of 40 or more yards and is fourth in yards receiving. ... Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow has completed 70.7% of his passes with 14 TDs. ... Burrow bruised his throat in an Oct. 10 loss to Green Bay, and that limited his voice last week. ... Burrow has thrown at least two TDs in each of Cincinnati's first six games this season. ... The Bengals' defense ranks second in yards allowed per play (5.1). ... Cincinnati LB Logan Wilson's four interceptions put him at second best in the league. ... ... The Bengals have scored a combined 31 points in the last two minutes of the first half. That total is second among all NFL teams. ... The Ravens are 5-1 for the fourth time in franchise history and the second straight season. They have never started 6-1. ... Baltimore's Mark Andrews has 468 yards receiving, tied with Kansas City's Travis Kelce for the most among TEs. ... Ravens LB Justin Houston has 99 1/2 sacks for his career. ... Jackson has 2,078 combined yards (passing and rushing) and that is second in the NFL behind Tom Brady's 2,101. ... Baltimore is 35-8 with Jackson as its regular-season starter. He's the first QB to reach 35 wins before age 25.
FANTASY TIP: With Murray nursing an injury, look for RB Devonta Freeman to receive more carries - and he led the Ravens in rushing last weekend anyway.
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