Ravens vs. Bengals: 7 key matchups to watch in Week 13

John Harbaugh's team battled injuries and inconsistency through the first eight weeks. Still, the Ravens are now 6-5 on the season with a huge matchup against Cincinnati on Thanksgiving night. The Ravens' 23-10 win at M&T Bank Stadium last Sunday was Baltimore's 6th straight game holding a team under 20 points, while Derrick Henry moved into the top 12 on the NFL's all-time rushing list with his two-touchdown day. Now, they'll face a familiar foe in the hated Bengals, with the two teams scheduled to meet twice over the next three weeks.

The Ravens currently lead the regular season series 32-26, while the Bengals lead the postseason series 1-0. Baltimore currently has a four-game win streak over Cincinnati, having swept the Reds in the last two seasons.

The Ravens own a 20-9 advantage in games played in Baltimore. With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at seven key matchups to watch.

Ja'Marr Chase vs. Nate Wiggins

With Tee Higgins ruled out, the expectation is that Nate Wiggins will travel with Chase on key down.

Chase, whose 79 receptions and 861 receiving yards this season both rank in the top five among all pass catchers, will be without his running mate, Tee Higgins, but he's had some explosive moments against this Baltimore secondary. In eight games against Baltimore, Chase has been dominant, logging 58 receptions for 962 yards (16.6) and eight TDs.

Ravens DC Zach Orr vs. Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Orr's defense has been blitzing opposing quarterbacks, and Thursday night offers the ultimate matchup. Joe Burrow has been the Ravens quarterback kryptonite despite not getting wins on monster performances. In a thrilling 35-34 victory by the Ravens last season, Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens defense has held each of its previous six opponents to under 20 points. Since Week 6, Baltimore is allowing 296.5 yards per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL in that span.

Bengals DC Al Golden vs. Lamar Jackson

The Bengals are 32nd in total defense and 32nd in passing defense. Lamar Jackson has gone back-to-back games without producing a touchdown for the first time in his career and has been uncharacteristically held under 200 yards passing for three straight weeks for the first time in five years. Jackson has been sacked 24 times in eight starts this season, which is one more sack than all of last season. He has faced a pressure rate of 35.6%, which is on pace to be his career high.

DJ Turner vs. Zay Flowers

Bengals Cornerback DJ Turner II leads the NFL this season with 15 passes defensed. Since 2010, there have been just two Bengals players with 16 PDs in a season — Dre Kirkpatrick in 2015 and Cam Taylor-Britt in 2024. He'll match up with Zay Flowers, who leads Baltimore with 58 catches for almost 800 yards.

Kyle Hamilton vs. Bengals HC Zac Taylor

Taylor is the Bengals' head coach and offensive mastermind who'll have to deal with the versatile Kyle Hamilton. Whether it's blitzing the quarterback or covering the tight end, the Bengals have to account for Hamilton.

Derrick Henry vs. Bengals LB Barrett Carter

A rookie fourth-round pick, Carter has earned a starting role and is tied for the third most tackles on the team. An athletic linebacker, Carter could negate Henry and Keaton Mitchell in the passing game.

Ravens OLB Mike Green vs. Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown

Green had five pressures and one sack against the Jets, and he'll face the veteran that Baltimore drafted. Brown's 59.6 PFF grade is on the backend of offensive tackles in the NFL.

Bengals Geno Stone vs. Ravens tight ends

Last week against the Patriots, Stone logged a pick-six against Drake Maye, and Stone has familiarity with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' tight end trio. Andrews needs three catches (469) to set the Ravens' career record, currently held by WR Derrick Mason (471). Andrews already owns the franchise's all-time marks for receiving yards (5,815) and receiving TDs (56).

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 7 key matchups to watch when the Ravens face the Bengals in Week 13