Ravens vs. Bengals: Five bold predictions for Week 13 on Thanksgiving

Short weeks pack a lot of punch. There's the desire to talk about all of the same stuff that you would have if you had seven days between one game and the next, but here we are. On Thanksgiving, the Baltimore Ravens welcome an AFC North rival and renew a 30-year-old feud.

This comes just four days after a close call vs. the New York Jets. We don't have to remind you about all of the hurt feelings and fistfights between John Harbaugh's crew and the Cincinnati Bengals, do we?

Baltimore has had the upper hand of late, winning four games in a row. A fifth will go a long way towards helping the Ravens achieve their goal, winning the AFC North.

Joe Burrow is expected to make his return. Come on. What else could one ask for? Is it Thursday yet? This one has the word 'classic' written all over it. Here are some predictions.

Lamar Jackson shines with another classic in primetime.

Well, you had to know this was coming. You're all very much aware of how special Lamar Jackson has been in primetime. He's a fantastic 8-1 in Ravens home games.

Yes... We know... We've told you for a few weeks that Jackson will go off, and he hasn't. This time we're sure. Cue an epic performance and a nice nightcap for what should be a wonderful Thanksgiving. How about two passing TDs to sweeten the pot?

Derrick Henry scores two more rushing touchdowns.

The Ravens can't block up front. Derrick Henry can't get in going, and for whatever reason, the offense can't seem to score. That's okay. Nothing cures bad offense like a game vs. the Bengals defense.

Cincinnati is giving up just under 33 points per game. Let's say Derrick Henry will have some opportunities. This feels like the 'get-right game'of all 'get-right games.' King Henry scores two TDs, and in the process, the Ravens cure yet another issue.

Baltimore converts 75% of its red zone opportunities into touchdowns.

Calling the Ravens awful in the red zone doesn't adequately explain just how bad they have been. In 2024, they converted 73.97% of their opportunities into TDs.

That number has dropped to just over 47% this season. That ranks them 28th, but again, they're playing the Bengals. And, again, Derrick Henry is scoring two rushing TDs. That should lead to some red-zone success in this one.

The Ravens hold the Bengals to 24 points or fewer and force two turnovers.

Zach Orr's defense has caught fire, and the blaze continues like a nice flame simmering under a smoked turkey. This time, the Ravens surrender more than 20 points, but the scoring won't get out of hand.

Zach Orr's defense sacks Joe Burrow twice en route to a one-score win.

Simply put, Joe Burrow's bad toe equals a less mobile Joe Burrow in our minds. Two sacks in this one, but count on a close win. The Ravens' defense stops a last-ditch effort by the Bengals to score one more TD and a two-point conversion. Final score prediction: Ravens 31 - Bengals 23

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Bengals: 5 bold predictions for Thanksgiving Night matchup