If the first matchup was any indication, the Bengals-Ravens could deliver a stunner on Thursday night.

The Bengals led the Ravens three separate times in the second half of their Week 5 meeting in Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson led five scoring drives in the final 25 minutes of regulation and overtime, setting up a thrilling comeback victory for the Ravens.

This game is as good a QB matchup as you can hope for. Jackson is currently surpassing his numbers from his 2023 MVP campaign, and Burrow is also on great path with a TD-INT ratio of 20-4, completing over 70% of his passes.

It was last year’s Week 11 meeting in Baltimore where the Bengals fell to .500 and lost Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury, effectively closing the door on the postseason. Cincinnati is currently 4-5 and in third place in the AFC North and ninth in the AFC standings, and a loss – with several strong opponents remaining – could be a death blow to their playoff chances.

Both teams were also active at the trade deadline. The Ravens added a wide receiver Diontae Johnson and cornerback Tre’David White and the typically passive Bengals traded for running backs Khalil Herbert of the Bears. How much each of those new players will contribute on Thursday is highly speculative, but it’s clear at least that both teams enter this meeting with a win-now mentality.

Here are four things to watch for when the Bengals visit the Ravens on Thursday night on Prime Video and NFL+:

1) Bengals D needs to hold up much better in this game. Even with a setback against the Eagles in Week 8, the Bengals defense has shown overall improvement from how it performed earlier in the season. Notably, the unit seemed to hit rock bottom during its first loss to the Ravens prior to its recent resurgence. In that game, Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo blew relentlessly and it cost them. Jackson tore up Cincinnati when it went cover-0 (on nearly a quarter of his dropbacks!), completing seven of 11 passes for 68 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, Jackson also had success when the Bengals weren’t blitzing. The only minor successes they had in that game were using two high safety grenades, but that wasn’t enough. The Bengals didn’t have a slot CB Mike Hilton in the first matchup; He’s back, which could make a difference. And since the last meeting, the Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has been on a tear, with eight of his top 11 NFL sacks coming during that span. Sam Hubbard And Logan Wilson have also picked up their game. Henry, who ran for 92 yards and a TD the first time, will be a burden to deal with again. But perhaps the biggest concern lies at the rear. Can the Bengals cover all of the Ravens’ passing-game weapons — and treat Jackson as a scrambler — for 60 minutes?

2) How much more can Diontae Johnson add? Johnson was quiet in his Ravens debut last week, playing 16 snaps and not being targeted in the big win over Denver. Expect to see more of Johnson in the mix in the future, but the Ravens already have a strong core Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman And Nelson Agholoralong with running backs Dirk Hendrik and a strong group of tight ends. In the first meeting with the Bengals, Jackson had success throwing to just about anyone. But the Ravens’ TE production that day was an eye-opener. Isaiah Probably caught two TD passes, including perhaps Jackson’s play of the year, when he recovered a fumbled snap and hit Likely for a huge TD in the fourth quarter. Charlie Kolar And Mark Andries each had big catches over the middle of more than 25 yards, combining for seven catches, 119 receiving yards and a touchdown. Each of them had at least one catch of more than 25 yards. But Johnson stung the Bengals in Week 4 with the Panthers, catching seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. He did most of his work against Cam Taylor-Britt; Johnson had less success when DJ Turner of the Bengals covered him. With Likely out on Thursday with a hamstring injury, Johnson could see a bigger role.

3) The Bengals run game could be in rough shape. The Bengals offense still runs through Burrow and the passing game, and WR Tee Higgins is questionable to play due to a quad injury that has sidelined him for the past two weeks. The status of LT Orlando Brown (knee/fibula), also has doubts and doubts TNF. Anyway, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the slew of passing guns remain Cincy’s bread and butter. The Ravens had few answers for Chase and Higgins last time out, as they combined for 19 catches, 276 yards and four touchdowns. Burrow’s late INT was costly, but otherwise he was nuclear against Baltimore’s defense. The question is whether the Bengals can forge something resembling a run game. Bag Mos (neck) is done for the year. Chase Brown hopes to play through a rib injury. The Bengals also lost rookie TE Erick All Jr., one of their key run blockers. The trade for Khalil Herbert helps, but can he step in immediately after Tuesday’s trade? Brown was one of their third backs, but didn’t always perform well in the pass pro. That’s not Herbert’s specialty either, so maybe they should use him as a change-of-pace runner. The good news is he has fresh legs after touching the ball 10 times in six games for Chicago. The Ravens will likely challenge the Bengals to run the ball, offering light boxes and multiple deep safeties. Will the Bengals comply?

4) The Ravens defense must also answer the bell. The Ravens traded for Rams CB Tre’Davious White, although it remains to be seen if he can jump right into the mix for this game and help, as he won’t have much time to assimilate and hasn’t since Week 4 played. The move underscored the struggles and health problems in Baltimore’s high school community. That group struggled in Week 5 against Cincinnati and has had other tough games, though strong performances against the Bills earlier this season and last Sunday against the Broncos offer hope that this unit can deliver. Brandon Stephens had his hands full, just like him Marlon Humphreybut Baltimore’s safeties were also a big reason for the defensive failures in Week 5. Just Kyle Hamiltonthe standout of the unit, made a critical mistake with a penalty after a two-point play; he hasn’t had the season he did in 2023 and could make some game-changing plays on Thursday. The Ravens had a little more success in the first meeting when they didn’t blitz, so coming home with four rushers and maintaining coverage on the back end could be key. If the Ravens want to consider themselves among the NFL elites, they need to play defense closer to the level they did in 2023.