Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 27, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Network: NBC
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Flacco Burrow: START
I have no idea what to expect from Joe Burrow in this game, but if I’ve been stashing him on IR or my bench for the entire season, there’s probably not a scenario in which I have a better alternative.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB2
Samaje Perine: SIT
Tahj Brooks: SIT
The Ravens’ rushing defense has been markedly improved since safety Kyle Hamilton moved into a roaming linebacker position, which coincided with the rest of the defense getting much healthier. After allowing teams to average 146.4 rushing yards per game against them over the first five weeks of the season, the Ravens haven’t allowed more than 120 rushing yards over their last six games, holding opponents right around 80 yards rushing per game. That said, Chase Brown presents the most value as a pass catcher out of the backfield, which matches up well against the aggressive Baltimore defense. Breece Hall posted four catches for 75 yards last week while De’Von Achane posted six catches for 39 yards against this team a few weeks back. If the Bengals can get Brown into space, he sets up for a nice day through the air.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: OUT
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
This situation couldn’t set up more nicely for a Ja’Marr Chase blow-up spot. Tee Higgins is likely going to miss with a concussion and Chase was forced to sit out as result of a suspension last week. So now the Ravens — who haven’t exactly done well to limit Chase in the past — have to deal with a guy who is missing his WR2, gets his best friend back at quarterback and comes in with a chip on his shoulder after being forced to sit out last week. Buckle up, Baltimore, it’s going to be a long night. In a week with all 32 teams hitting the field, it’s hard to imagine a roster that wouldn’t have better options than Andrei Iosivas or Mitchell Tinsley, even with Higgins scheduled to miss.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: START, TE1-2 borderline
Since joining the Bengals, Mike Gesicki has functioned as their top pass-catching tight end, but has been severely hamstrung by the elite weapons at receiver stealing his thunder. Well, now with Higgins likely to miss, Gesicki effectively becomes a WR2 for Cincinnati. In five games without Higgins in 2024, Gesicki posted 5.2 receptions per game for 62.4 receiving yards per game, including seven catches for 73 yards against the Eagles and a seven-catch, 100-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Raiders. He should be in line for enough volume to make him a high-end streaming tight end option in Week 13.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
I like winning too much to even think about starting the Cincinnati defense.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: START
Since returning from injury — and even since prior to his first injury of the season — Lamar Jackson just hasn’t looked quite right. His scrambling and designed runs have reduced significantly this season compared to prior campaigns and he hasn’t shown the same escapability that we’re so used to seeing. Without that rushing goodness, Lamar’s fantasy floor and ceiling are both reduced, and it’s not like he’s played super well recently with just one touchdown pass over his last three games. On the other hand, there might not be a better get-right spot in all the NFL. Jackson gets to face the Cincinnati defense, at home, on a short week. If I could handpick a matchup and situation for my fantasy quarterback to go up against, this would probably be very close to exactly what I would choose.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: START, RB1
Justice Hill: OUT?
Keaton Mitchell: SIT
BEHOLD MY MAJESTIC STRIDE! No — not that King Henry … though against this Bengals defense, even that guy might be fantasy relevant. The Bengals are allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (156.0) to opponents through 12 weeks and now get to face one of the mightiest rushers in NFL history. In this matchup, backup Keaton Mitchell could be in consideration as a flex play in deep-league formats. Justice Hill missed practice Tuesday and if he sits Thursday, that should open up additional snaps (especially in passing down situations) for Mitchell. If the game script goes against Baltimore and it leans into the pass, Mitchell could be much more a part of the game plan than most managers think.
Wide Receiver
Rashod Bateman: SIT
Zay Flowers START, WR3
Deandre Hopkins: SIT
Zay Flowers is averaging seven targets per game, the only Ravens receiver to average more than three targets per game. So he’s going to see volume. The question is, will he be able to do anything with it? The diminutive slot receiver hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 but has been on the field for more routes than any other Ravens wideout. He should still be considered a top-40 wide receiver in the league and ought to be a reliable third wide receiver or flex option against the leaky Bengals secondary.
Tight End
Mark Andrews: START, TE1-2 borderline
Andrews has been a touchdown-reliant tight end with decent red-zone volume for most of the last two seasons and that doesn’t change here. Averaging just three receptions per game, he’ll likely need a touchdown reception (or carry, now that he takes the tush push snaps under center) to provide managers with ample fantasy value. Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely still exist on the Baltimore roster, but have been nothing but blockers and pass-game afterthoughts so far this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Baltimore Ravens: START
The Ravens’ defense has improved significantly since the first few games of the season. They haven’t allowed an opponent to score 20 points since Week 5, limiting offenses to just 11.7 points per game in their past six outings. The rushing defense has been light-years better (as noted above) while the pass rush improved with the addition of Dre’Mont Jones and the continued development of rookie Mike Green. Burrow is easily the best quarterback the Ravens have faced since Matthew Stafford in Week 6, but Baltimore limited the MVP favorite to just 181 passing yards in that game. Playing at home on a short week should benefit the Ravens’ defense as well.