Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 14, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: CBS
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: START, QB1
Lamar Jackson had his best game in a month, but still had mixed results. Jackson and the Ravens offense struggled early, not scoring their first touchdown until 16 seconds left in the second quarter when Lamar scrambled for a six-yard score. He’d wind up throwing a touchdown to Isaiah likely in the third quarter as well (and should have had another, but we’ll address that later). The result of the game wasn’t what Ravens fans had hoped for, but Lamar looked the best he has in weeks. He should keep the good times rolling against the Bengals in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: START, RB1
Keaton Mitchell: SIT
Derrick Henry tallied over 100 total yards for the third time in his last four and saw a season high 25 carries against the Steelers. It was his first game since Week 10, and he failed to get into the endzone, but King Henry should be able to push across the goal line once again against Cincy. The Bengals gave up two rushing touchdowns to Baltimore in Week 13 and allowed the most fantasy points to the position. Keaton Mitchell was the other back who scored in that game, but isn’t seeing enough usage to consider starting, even at FLEX.
Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers: START, WR2
Rashod Bateman: SIT
DeAndre Hopkins: SIT
It was a much-needed boom week for Zay Flowers, who had mostly been a bust. Baltimore’s WR1 caught eight of 11 targets for 124 yards, scoring over 20 fantasy points for the first time since Week 1. Unfortunately, his scoreless streak since Week 1 continued, but you can consider him a WR2 despite the Bengals holding him to 1.6 fantasy points the last time they played. I like his chances of getting into the end zone with Jackson playing better. Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins shouldn’t be rostered, let alone started. Neither has had a double-digit fantasy performance since Week 3.
Tight End
Mark Andrews: START, TE1
Isaiah Likely: START, TE1
Isaiah Likely was credited with one touchdown against the Steelers, but let’s be honest, he had two. The second was overturned because it was a bogus call. Joey Porter Jr punched the ball out after Likely came down with it in the end zone, but he already took two steps. See for yourself.
Had a crazy dream that the refs called this Isaiah Likely touchdown incomplete
Good thing that didn’t happen, right?
RIGHT?! pic.twitter.com/AxxGPDd3Xm
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 8, 2025
Both Mark Andrews and Likely are… likely… startable this week against the Bengals. In case you didn’t know, the Bengals allow 20.5 points per game to tight ends, which is seven more points than any other team in the league. Andrews is the safer play, but Isaiah has the much higher ceiling.
Defense/Special Teams
Baltimore Ravens: SIT
The Ravens’ defense has allowed 59 total points in their last two games.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START, QB1
Joe Burrow threw four touchdowns, but threw two costly picks in back-to-back plays in the Bengals’ breathtaking loss to the Bills. Right after throwing a pick-six to give Buffalo the lead, he threw a second interception with about five minutes left in the game. Burrow looked as good as ever, and against a Baltimore defense that gave up a season high 281 yards to A-A-Ron Rodgers, he’s locked in as a QB1.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB2
Chase Brown had his least efficient game in a while, just his second game in his last seven averaging under five yards per carry. But efficiency doesn’t matter when you’re scoring tuddys, and Brown totalled two of them against the Bills. It was snowing, so I guess I cut the guy a little slack. Brown averaged 5.2 yards per carry against the Ravens in Week 13 and chipped in seven catches as well. Brown checks in as a high-end RB2 as he goes for his seventh straight game over 15 fantasy points.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins
Andrei Iosivas: FLEX, WR4
Two of Burrow’s touchdowns went to Tee Higgins, who briefly left the game after banging his head on the ground again. He was allowed back in the game even though it was apparent he suffered a concussion. Higgins was placed into concussion protocol again on Monday, after supposedly suffering concussion symptoms after the game. His status for Sunday’s game was undecided at the time of writing, but in my opinion, he’s played his last down this season. But with Burrow throwing four touchdowns, two going to Tee, that means at least one went to his BFF Ja’Marr Chase, right? RIGHT? Well, no. The other two touchdown passes went to Chase Brown and Mike Geisicki. Chase saw a solid eight targets, but caught just five for 43 yards. Disappointing for sure, but obviously nothing to be concerned about. Games like this happen even for studs like Ja’Marr. He’s a top-3 receiver in real life and fantasy, and a weekly WR1 with Burrow fully back. If Higgins is indeed inactive, Andrei Iosivas makes for a decent touchdown-dependent FLEX. Yoshi scored when the teams met two weeks ago, and Chase was out.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: STREAMER
The biggest beneficiary if Higgins misses is likely Mike Gesicki, who scored late against Buffalo and hit what a Griddy would look like if I attempted one.
GESICKI GRIDDIES ARE INEVITABLE 🔥
CINvsBUF on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/eCpQDKO7rb
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
Gesicki’s seen 16 targets over his last three games, and even if Higgins is miraculously active, he makes for a decent streaming option against the Ravens. Baltimore gave up a touchdown to tight end Tanner Hudson the last time these two met.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
The Bengals are the only team in the NFL allowing over 30 points per game to their opponent.