Published Nov 25, 11:46am ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 25, 11:46am ET
Grok AI
Updated Nov 25, 11:46am ET
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| Baltimore Ravens | -6.5 (-120) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +6.5 (+100) |
Although the Bengals are 3-8 and three games behind the Ravens and Steelers in the AFC North, they still have a chance to win the division title. Several things need to happen for that to come to pass, but they can only control what they can control. That starts on Thanksgiving in Baltimore.
QB Joe Burrow missed nine games after undergoing surgery for turf toe. Backup Jake Browning was not up to the challenge. They traded for Joe Flacco, who has played well, but he's not Burrow.
Want to see Joe Burrow running? Hereโs Joe Burrow running.
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) November 19, 2025
Burrow will participate in 11-on-11 drills today for the first time since undergoing toe surgery in September. pic.twitter.com/Hb9Y08QUIC
Can they run the table and get to 9-8, which could very well win them the division?
Yes.
With Burrow back, it's theoretically possible.
They're playing the Ravens twice in the next three games, sandwiching a trip to Buffalo.
However, if they manage to win those games, the schedule lightens up significantly with games against the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Browns.
The Bengals can light up the sky with offense.
On defense, they're the worst in the league: last in points allowed per game; last in defensive passing yards per game; and next-to-last in defensive rushing yards per game. They're 28th in takeaway differential.
Still, counting out that offense with Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown is done at your peril.
Higgins will miss the Ravens game with a concussion.
ALSO SEE: NFL: Chiefs vs Cowboys Injuries, Odds, & Picks, Week 13 (Nov 27)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Cam Sample, DE | INJURED |
| Joe Flacco, QB | INJURED |
| Tahj Brooks, RB | INJURED |
| Trey Hendrickson, DE | INJURED |
| Tee Higgins, WR | INJURED |
The Ravens' troubles started with blowing a 40-25 lead to the Bills in Week 1. After their Week 6 loss to the Rams, they sat at 1-5. But the AFC North is relatively weak, and those five straight wins over shaky competition have gotten Baltimore into a 1st place tie with the stumbling Steelers.
In that win streak, they beat the Bears, Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, and Jets. It's not exactly murderer's row. But they don't make the schedule. The road grows harder with the Bengals, Steelers, Bengals again, Patriots, Packers, and Steelers again.
They weren't exactly dominant against the Jets, pulling away in the 4th quarter to win 23-10. Lamar Jackson was a pedestrian 13 for 23 and 153 yards. He only ran for 11 yards on 7 attempts. Derrick Henry was largely mitigated, running for 64 yards on 21 carries.
๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ HENRYโผ๏ธ โ1๏ธโฃ#JetUp 7#RavensFlock 17#NFL | #NYJvsBAL pic.twitter.com/djklPkLib6
— Ravens en Espaรฑol (@Ravens_Spain) November 23, 2025
On defense, they allowed Tyrod Taylor to complete 17 of 28 passes for 222 yards. The Ravens squeaked through, sacking Taylor three times and picking him off once.
Their offense needs to be clicking on Thanksgiving night.
The Ravens are 29th in passing yards per game, but much of that is due to Cooper Rush and Tyler Huntley playing in place of Jackson when he was injured. They are at zero in takeaway differential. To beat the Bengals, they'll need to score at least 30 points.
Jackson is dealing with a toe issue and is listed as questionable. Safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against the Jets and is also questionable.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Keyon Martin, CB | INJURED |
| Rashod Bateman, WR | INJURED |
| Travis Jones, DT | INJURED |
| Adisa Isaac, LB | INJURED |
| Taven Bryan, DT | INJURED |
| Lamar Jackson, QB | INJURED |
| Kyle Hamilton, S | INJURED |
For Week 13 Bengals-Ravens, two AFC North rivals clash on Thanksgiving night. The Bengals need the game far more than the Ravens do, but Cincinnati is again the team with the ultimate puncher's chance, particularly if they get to the playoffs. With Burrow and that offense, they're a dangerous opponent.
Baltimore has been mediocre this season. They'll need a bravura performance from Jackson and Henry. The defense needs to limit the damage.
Underdog Cincinnati will keep the game within 6.5 points on the road.
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Pick
Cincinnati Bengals +6.5
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