Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Network: Amazon Prime Video
Writer: Chris Helle
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: Start, QB1
The Bengals’ defense will no doubt struggle on the road against one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, so in order to keep up, they will be forced to rely upon their strength on offense: throwing the ball. The good news for Burrow managers is he’s coming off his best week after throwing for 250 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Raiders last week. With their backs against the wall to go on a run for playoffs, Burrow is the guy who steps up when his team needs him most. The current QB5 is a must-start against an underperforming Baltimore secondary that’s allowed the 3rd most points to QBs.
Running Back
Chase Brown: Start, RB2
Khalil Herbert: Sit
The Ravens have allowed the 8th fewest points to RBs, so the matchup isn’t very favorable, but volume is king. With Zack Moss out for the season, Chase Brown was given 27 carries that he took for 120 yards last week in his debut as the team’s featured back. Acquiring Khalil Herbert in a trade with Chicago was a necessary move for the team to have depth in Moss’s absence, but Herbert poses no threat to taking meaningful touches away from Brown.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: Start, WR1
Tee Higgins: Start, WR2
Andre Iosivas: Sit
Despite not being the recipient of any of Burrow’s 5 TDs last week, Chase is still the WR1 in PPR. This is a favorable matchup for the star receiver, as the Ravens have allowed the 2nd most points to opposing WRs. Tee Higgins is currently questionable to play, but he’s a starter for the same reasons if he’s good to go. Between Weeks 3-7, when he was healthy, Higgins had just as many receptions as Chase and was averaging 13.3 fantasy points per game – WR13 over that span of the season. If he is unable to play, the door for Andre Iosivas doesn’t appear to open too much, as many of those vacated targets have gone to the TEs.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: Streaming Option, TE2
Like Burrow, Gesicki is coming off his best week of the season as he finished as the TE1 last week after a 100-yard and 2-touchdown performance. Whether he’s a viable starter will come down to the status of Tee Higgins – if Higgins plays, then Gesicki is a riskier desperation start, but he could be in for another decent game should Higgins not suit up. Baltimore has only allowed the 22nd most points to TEs, though, so don’t expect a repeat of last week, even if Higgins is out.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: Start, QB1
Lamar is the QB1 and comes in as the number 1 QB on this week’s edition of The List. He’s missed a few practices this week due to managing some knee and back pains, but all signs point toward him playing this Thursday. He had also been held out of most practices last week, but you wouldn’t have known it after he put up a perfect passer rating against a talented Denver defense. This might be the best season of his career, and he’s going against a division rival at home, and the Bengals don’t pose as a particularly difficult matchup.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: Start, RB1
Justice Hill: Sit
Keaton Mitchell: Sit
Yeah, you should start “The King.” He’s the current RB1 and has already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards with only 1 game where he didn’t log a touchdown. Henry has also accounted for 84% of the rushes out of this backfield. Despite Keaton Mitchell potentially returning to action, neither Mitchell nor Justice Hill are viable starting options.
Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers: Start, WR1
Rashod Bateman: FLEX Option, WR3
Diontae Johnson: FLEX Option, WR4
Following suit with Burrow and Gesicki, Zay Flowers is another player in this game who had his best output of the year last week. You may want to temper your expectations some, though, because this should be the first week the Ravens fully roll out their newly added WR in Diontae Johnson. We wouldn’t expect Johnson to jump into a big role right away, and he will likely be outpaced by Rashod Bateman, who’s been an integral part of the receiving corps all season, but Flowers may end up losing some target share between Johnson and the up-swinging Mark Andrews. Nonetheless, Baltimore is expected to score the most points this week, so there should be plenty of meat on the bone for Flowers to make his mark.
Tight End
Mark Andrews: Start, TE1
Isaiah Likely: Sit
It was a sluggishly slow start to the season for Mark Andrews, but he seems to have turned the corner. Across Weeks 1-5, he logged 10 receptions for 120 yards and 0 TDs. Since then (Weeks 6-9), he’s put up 14 receptions for 169 yards and 4 TDs. This is a plus matchup for him as the Bengals are 27th in points allowed to TEs this season, so he’s a safe start in what should be a high-scoring game. On the other hand, Isaiah Likely has taken the back seat and should be left on the bench for this one.