You can watch Thursday Night Football: Ravens vs. Watch Bengals at 8:20 PM ET/5:20 PM PT on Amazon Prime Video.
An AFC North showdown is scheduled for tonight when the division-leading 6-3 Baltimore Ravens take on the 4-5 Cincinnati Bengals – a rematch of an OT thriller from Week 5 (Baltimore won, 41-38). Both teams come from the Ws – or rather, both teams come from a complete slate of inferior opponents in Week 9. Suffice it to say, the TNF gods bless us tonight.
Let’s get to the story of the tape.
Will we see more of Diontae Johnson this week?
The excitement surrounding the Diontae Johnson trade for fantasy managers seems to evaporate once it becomes a reality. On the one hand, you had an obviously excellent wide receiver who went into probably the best situation of his career and got targets from a reigning MVP who was playing some of his best football ever. On the other side, Johnson joined a crowded armory with, in no particular order:
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Dirk Hendrik
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Justice Hill
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Zay Flowers
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Rashod Bateman
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Nelson Agholor
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Mark Andries
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Isaiah Probably
All of these players have received substantial work from Lamar Jackson this season. So while Johnson is clearly expected to be part of the game plan most weeks, it was difficult to expect immediate production from him. That was the case in Johnson’s first game as a Raven: 17 snaps, no targets.
But maybe the Ravens will call his number this week.
Ravens-Bengals has become must-see TV lately; the last three regular season games have all featured more than 50 points scored. It might be easy to expect Henry to be saddled with a bunch of carries and for Baltimore to run Cincinnati into the ground. But the way Joe Burrow has been going lately, even without Tee Higgins, it’s hard to imagine this game not approaching or exceeding the current projected total of 53 points.
The Ravens have a weak secondary and have been vulnerable against the pass all season — the bread-and-butter for Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase (more on him soon). Both offenses require all hands on deck in this game. And with Isaiah Likely already likely ruled out for this match, Johnson has one less obstacle on his path to loftier goals. And Johnson has now had a few days to delve further into the Ravens playbook.
Don’t expect Johnson to suddenly put together a monster game, but a few catches and some looks in the red zone — perhaps a signature quick separation touchdown — seem like a safe bet for him tonight.
But speaking of monster games…
This might be the best (or, second best) game of the season by Ja’Marr Chase
Remember that barn burner from Week 5 between the Bengals and Ravens? Ja’Marr Chase went nuclear for a 12-10-193-2 statistical line. And there’s a chance he can beat that this week. Or at least meet that output.
Sure, that Week 5 was a back-and-forth affair with six lead changes, but there’s one factor from that match that won’t be present in this TNF game: Tee Higgins.
Higgins is listed as questionable, but it would be a shock to see him on the field tonight for the Bengals. Higgins also had a day in week 5, going 14-9-83-2. Higgins undoubtedly played a role in Chase’s big day, as Baltimore had to answer for its attempt to stop both elite wideouts. So while the Ravens defense can focus more on Chase tonight, he also won’t have as much competition for targets. Not to mention that Mike Gesicki (more on him below) has emerged as a powerful weapon in the passing game in Higgins’ place.
There are the games where Chase and Burrow shine the brightest. As Chase himself likes to say, he’s ‘always’ open. Expect a huge double-digit target and get night from him.
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We may have a sell high (or buy low) opportunity for Chase Brown
The standard Yahoo Fantasy trade deadline is Saturday, November 16. Now is the time to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of your rosters and decide whether it’s time to make a move or stand your ground. Should you trade an underperforming star to strengthen the rest of your lineup? Or should you see what you can get from an unexpectedly high-end artist?
And an interesting case study for this is Chase Brown.
It’s hard to find a down arrow for Brown at this point. He came into the season with a significant amount of hype as a slight, positive pick. He’s having his best game of the season, a masterful performance in which he tore the Raiders apart on the ground (27 carries, 120 yards) and through the air (5-5-37-1). That’s the kind of cheat code production fantasy dreams are made of. He has also now been freed from the clutches of having to share the load with Zack Moss, who is out indefinitely with a neck injury.
And so the trading window has creaked open.
As mentioned, this will likely be a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair between two bitter rivals. If the Bengals control this game, will Brown be the engine to salt away the clock? If they fall behind, will Brown be featured in the passing game? Will the addition of Khalil Herbert – who has flashed in brief moments throughout his career – have any impact tonight?
If Brown has another good game, should you try to sell high and try to get a real fantasy difference-maker (and that’s not to say Brown isn’t one himself)? If he stumbles tonight after his monster Week 9, should you try to catch him from a fellow competitor?
The choice is yours, fantasy manager. As far as I’m concerned, this is a tough matchup for Brown, but if he stays involved in the passing game and can score again, I’ll sell as high as I can. The Bengals will live and die by Joe Burrow’s arm – not Chase Brown’s legs.
Pick-and-play: Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals (30% selected)
Sometimes fantasy football is easy. One man gets hurt, another man steps in and produces. That’s Mike Gesicki in a nutshell.
When Tee Higgins missed time this season, Gesicki was the next man up, even though they play different positions. But just as the 6-foot-10 Higgins is a matchup nightmare, so too is the 6-foot-2 Gesicki.
I’ll keep this one short: you’ll want pieces of both offenses in your fantasy lineups for tonight’s game. Gesicki is available in most leagues and plays in a position where we are virtually starved for consistent production. This week you’ll sharpen it again.
