The Cincinnati Bengals news kept up its intense pace during the hours before kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
First up, the final injury report revealed the statuses of big names like wide receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, with the team ruling out a total of three players — while Hendrickson became a bit of a surprise on that report overall.
We also took a look at referee info for the matchup, odds and quite a bit more before kickoff, including how the Browns-Deshaun Watson injury impacts the Bengals.
Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for November 16.
Final injury report -- Bengals Wire
The Bengals will miss two key starters against the Ravens in the form of Sam Hubbard and Tee Higgins. Those are two areas the Bengals need to be really good at to win the game. Unfortunately, neither guy missing the game is much of a surprise.
Trey Hendrickson good to go -- Bengals Wire
Shockingly, star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is good to go just a few days removed from a serious-looking knee injury. No word on whether the injury wasn’t as bad as what was reported or what, but the Bengals get a key start for a must-win game.
Referee info revealed -- Bengals Wire
The Bengals will see a familiar face this week on primetime, as an officiating crew they’ve had this year already will get the call on the AFC North showdown.
Bet against Bengals won bettor $5.5 million -- Bengals Wire
The Bengals lost but…this bettor won, to say the least. A stunner of a parlay bet.
Deshaun Watson's injury and its impact on the Bengals -- Bengals Wire
Browns QB Deshaun Watson is out for the year and in the aftermath, ESPN provided a quick look at how that changes the playoff odds for the Bengals in the AFC North.
Ravens favored by 5.1 percent -- ESPN
ESPN’s FPI says the Ravens have a 5.1 percent chance to win, which is a 65 percent chance outright, translated. That’s not too shocking considering how the season has gone for both teams and the fact it takes place in Baltimore.
Ravens by five points -- CBS Sports
One expert says the Cincinnati defense won’t be able to stop Lamar Jackson: “This game lost a little luster when both lost last week. The Bengals looked bad on defense, while the Ravens blew a fourth-quarter lead in losing to the Browns. I think Lamar Jackson will get back on track against a Bengals defense that was shredded last week. The Ravens take it.”
Four experts pick Ravens -- USA Today
Four of five experts pick the Ravens here, with one writing the following: “Joe Burrow and the Bengals had a tough time moving the ball without Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Ja’Marr Chase (playing despite a back injury). And on a short week, I think the Bengals’ struggles will continue against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson won’t have the struggles he had offensively against the Browns last week.”
