Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens: prediction, preview, pick to win

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore. CBS, Tom McCarthy, Mike Mayock.

SERIES HISTORY:

41st regular-season meeting. The all-time series is tied 20-20. The Bengals have won the past five games in this AFC North matchup. The Ravens have not beaten Cincinnati since Nov. 10, 2013, when they managed a 20-17 overtime win at M&T Bank Stadium. Coach John Harbaugh is 7-9 in this series.

GAMEDATE: 11/27/16

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Cincinnati trails in the AFC North by only a game and a half with three games remaining against the teams they are chasing, beginning Sunday at Baltimore.

The Ravens have lost the past five games in this series, which prevented them from staying atop the division. But this time the Bengals will be without two top playmakers -- WR A.J. Green (hamstring) and RB Giovani Bernard (knee).

Bad timing for the Bengals considering they need all the firepower possible against a Ravens defense that yields the fewest yards in the NFL -- a mere 230.4 per outing.

Bengals offensive coordinator Ken Zampese must replace Green and Bernard, who accounted for more than 40 percent of the offense. Rookie WR Tyler Boyd could get moved around to find mismatches. Cincinnati must protect QB Andy Dalton (29 sacks). RB Jeremy Hill will must step up as rusher and pass blocker.

After an inconsistent season, the Ravens are at 5-5 and coach John Harbaugh treats the remaining schedule as a "six-game season," beginning with Bengals, whom they have not beaten since 2013.

Baltimore sees signs of an improved running game with Terrance West and rookie Kenneth Dixon. They need to help open up deep-pass opportunities for QB Joe Flacco. WR Steve Smith is still dangerous at 37 years old.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley vs. Bengals DT Geno Atkins. Atkins is one of the premier inside pass rushers in the league and has been traditionally strong against Baltimore. Atkins has managed 4.5 sacks and will be a challenge for the rookie Stanley, who protects quarterback Joe Flacco's blind side. Stanley, who missed four games earlier in the season with a foot injury, has been solid when he has been in the lineup. He will play a crucial role in this matchup.

--Ravens WR Steve Smith vs. Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick. The 37-year-old Smith has shown he can still be an effective playmaker and is a favorite target for quarterback Joe Flacco. Smith has caught 44 passes for 561 yards with three touchdowns. Kirkpatrick, who has three interceptions, injured his knee against Buffalo but is expected to be ready for the Ravens. That's good news for the Bengals, who are already dealing with several significant injuries. Kirkpatrick, however, better be ready for a physical matchup, and perhaps some verbal sparring, with Smith.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Ravens OL Marshal Yanda. The five-time Pro Bowler missed three games with a left shoulder injury before returning against Dallas. With rookie left guard Alex Lewis out with a high ankle sprain, Yanda moved from his usual spot at right guard to Lewis' spot on the left side, figuring it would be less stress on the injured shoulder. The move worked and helped reinforce the offensive line. Yanda will likely be back at left guard against Cincinnati.

INJURY REPORT:

Cincinnati -- Out: WR A.J. Green (hamstring). Doubtful: TE C.J. Uzomah (calf), S Shawn Williams (hamstring). Questionable: LS Clark Harris (groin), S Derron Smith (thigh).

Baltimore -- Out: T Alex Lewis (ankle), RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (thigh). Doubtful: TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh), CB Jimmy Smith (back). Questionable: LB Elvis Dumervil (foot), DT Timmy Jernigan (shoulder), DT Brandon Williams (back, hand), G Marshal Yanda (shoulder).

FAST FACTS:

Bengals QB Andy Dalton passed 383 yards and three TDs in the last meeting and ranks fifth in the AFC with 2,760 yards passing. After his rushing TD last week, Dalton has 17 since 2011, second among AFC QBs.

Bengals RB Jeremy Hill has three rushing scores in the last four games. Since 2014, he ranks second in the NFL with 26.

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict made 12 tackles and picked off a pass in the last meeting. He had a sack last week and is aiming for his fourth consecutive game with at least 10 tackles.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco passed for 362 yards and two TDs in his last game vs. Cincinnati.

Ravens WR Steve Smith caught eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown last week and has 339 yards receiving and three TDs in the last three games vs. the Bengals.

PREDICTION: This was going to be a rough road trip for the Bengals before they lost their top receiver and top runner. The Ravens' defense should have an easier outing than last week against Dallas.

OUR PICK: Ravens, 35-21.

--Frank Cooney