What experts expect from the Ravens-Bengals game

Lamar Jackson could have another big game throwing the ball.

The Baltimore Sun: “How aggressive will defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo be after Jackson improved his pressure looks in the last matchup? The Bengals' secondary, with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II at corners and former Raven Geno Stone on the back end, is ready for it.” Cincinnati ranks 26th in third-down defense and 27th in third-down defense Preventing touchdowns in the red zone.

Jackson and an improved defense give the Ravens the advantage.

Viv Tafur from Athletic: “Jackson plays at an absurd level. He has the sixth-highest passer rating through Week 9 in the last 25 seasons with a mark of 120.7. The Bengals beat Derrick Henry last month and Jackson still led them with 41 points. “Take the defense, which seems to have improved since then.”

RB Derrick Henry is an X-factor.

Tim Schwartz of the Baltimore Sun: “We know Lamar Jackson will play in the passing game, but the key for me is Derrick Henry. If the Ravens can get it going early and play a balanced game, control some time and prevent Burrow and Co. from dominating time of possession.” , I rate their chances of improving at 7-3 and would Cincinnati's All but dashing hopes of winning the AFC North.”

The Ravens win in another shootout.

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: “Both offenses can score while both defenses struggled. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson will put on an offensive show here, with the Ravens getting a close score late.”

Expect another close game, but this time the Bengals win.

CBS Sports' John Breech: “Last time I chose the Bengals and not much has changed in my attitude towards the match we are going to see. The Ravens still can't stop the pass (they've given up 280.5 yards per game, which ranks last in the NFL) and the Bengals defense still struggles to stop any team remotely talented is on the offensive side of the ball (they've played four teams this year that are currently over .500, and those four teams averaged 35.5 points per game against the Bengals).

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic: “I went back and forth about five times on that Ravens-Bengals score. The Ravens play very well at home and in prime time, and it's difficult for away teams to win on Thursday night. But the Bengals are the more desperate team and were the better team for most of the first match. On the other hand, I'm also happy with a narrow win for the Bengals, closing a close game in a way they didn't manage to do in their first meeting.”

New Ravens WR Diontae Johnson could be an important contributor.

NFL.com's Eric Edholm: “Johnson stung the Bengals in Week 4 with the Panthers, catching seven passes for 83 yards and a TD. He did most of the work against Cam Taylor-Britt; Johnson had less success when DJ Turner of the Bengals covered him. With (tight end Isaiah) Johnson expected to miss Thursday with a hamstring injury, he could see himself playing a larger role.