Views from 400’s Week 11 Thursday Night Football Roundtable

We FINALLY have a solid NFL primetime game to kick off Week 11, with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals traveling to Baltimore to take on the Raves.

The Bengals sit in the cellar of the AFC North despite a 5-4 record, while the division-leading Ravens are coming off a bad home loss to the Browns.

As will be the case every Thursday during the NFL season, the guys from Section 400 are here to give their takes on the game.

Here is what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Jack Albanese, and Matt Kolen are thinking heading into this AFC North battle.

Old (Bay)ngals?

Although the Browns and Steelers both have great records, you have to figure the AFC North comes down to these two. Can Joe Burrow lead his Bengals to another win streak to take the division, or Is the Ravens lead too big?

BH: If the Bengals were able to win last week, I’d say with 100% certainty that Joe Burrow can capture the north again. Unfortunately, they lost, and now are two games behind the Ravens. Cincinnati does have an easier remaining schedule though. If they can win tonight I think they have a good chance to rip off five more against the Steelers, Jags, Colts, Vikings, and Steelers again.

MK: You can’t count “Joey B” and Jamar Chase out. I think they have a shot but it needs to start with a win tonight against Baltimore. The defense is going to have to step up in the home stretch of the season. We’ll see how they fair against a physical Ravens team tonight.

JA: I would be extremely surprised if Baltimore doesn’t win this division. Barring a Lamar Jackson injury, the Ravens have the AFC North in the bag.

No fishing or crabbing

The Ravens opted not to acquire a running back at the trade deadline. Now. Gus Edwards is ceding carries to rookie Keaton Mitchell. While Mitchell has looked good, will Baltimore regret not upgrading the position?

Plenty of fish in the bay

What do the Bengals have to do if they want to make the postseason in a crowded AFC?

BH: First of all they have to win this game tonight. Then they’ll have to win at least four of the five games I highlighted in the first question. For the Bengals to do that, the defense needs to return to form and Joe Burrow has to avoid the offensive lulls we’ve seen all year long. Cincinnati’s offense was great in the first and fourth quarter last week, but struggled in the middle of the game. That can’t happen.

MK: The defense has to get better. The offense is good enough to keep the Bengals in every game, but like I said, the defense needs to step up so they can finish those close games.

JA: The Bengals have a good team. They’ll make the playoffs if Joe Burrow can find his rhythm and avoid turning the ball over. Cincinnati’s defense needs to make timely plays, and they need to start winning divisional games.

Yachts on the harbor.

Alright gentlemen it’s that time of the week again. Give me your best bet.

BH: It’s time for Joe Burrow and the Bengals to turn it on after a slight speed bump. Cincinnati covers +3.5 in this one.

MK: It’s Thursday Night, so I gotta give you a player prop. I love Odell Beckham Jr. over 26.5 yards.

JA: I agree with Brian. This game is going to be close and I’ll take the Bengals with a chance to cash if they lose by a field goal. Bengals +3.5

Final score.

Matt guessed the final score correctly in last week’s Thursday night game. Can we get two in a row?

BH: I’ve been high on Joe Burrow and the Bengals throughout this roundtable, but the Ravens are also coming off a bad loss and have a chance to all but lock up the North. Baltimore wins a close one at home, 24-23.

MK: The Bengals make up for last week and get the win on the road 27-24. 

JA: Although they aren’t winning the division, they are going to win this game. Bengals win 27-20