Ravens vs. Bengals: 5 storylines to watch in Week 13

The Bengals and Ravens are set for an intriguing and must-win matchup at M&T Bank Stadium. Cincinnati enters the matchup at 3-8 this season and is coming off a 26-20 home loss against New England in Week 12.

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. Throughout the series, the visiting team has not had it easy. The Ravens lead 20-9 in Baltimore, and the Bengals lead 18-12 in Cincinnati (including postseason). Baltimore currently holds a six-game advantage in the regular season, 32-26, while the Bengals have a 1-0 postseason lead.

With kickoff just moments away, we're looking at five storylines to watch.

Rashod Bateman's return

Baltimore had its final second day of preparation for the Bengals on a short week, and Wednesday's injury report saw Rashod Bateman log another full practice as he works to reintegrate into the Ravens offense. Bateman hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 10, and has 16 catches for 194 yards, and has only surpassed 50 receiving yards in two of his nine regular-season appearances.

Bateman will return to the lineup after missing two games, while Kyle Hamilton and Lamar Jackson also have no injury designation.

These games are always close

In a thrilling 35-34 Baltimore victory last season, Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns -- only to be outdone by Jackson's three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. The Ravens have won three straight against the Bengals at home – including six of the past seven matchups.

Star power on display at QB

This should be a showdown of MVP front-runners. However, both Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow look to prove they're still among the NFL's best quarterbacks, while overcoming injuries. Jackson has a 6-1 record against Burrow, winning the past five meetings. Burrow's only victory over Jackson came in 2021.

Heisman Trophy history

This will mark the first Thanksgiving matchup since at least 1950 between two starting quarterbacks who are former Heisman Trophy winners, according to ESPN Research. But it's been a lopsided rivalry so far.

More Joe Burrow

The Bengals are set to play on Thanksgiving for the second time in team history when they face the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night.

Burrow's Return

In his five-plus quarters of play at the start of the year, Burrow completed 21 of 36 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. In his nine total regular-season meetings with the Ravens, he has averaged around 300 passing yards and two touchdowns while posting a 104.8 passer rating. Last season, he threw for 392 yards and a career-high-tying five touchdowns in Week 5 against Baltimore, then followed up with 428 yards and four scoring passes in the Week 10 contest on Thursday Night Football.

Bengals road record on Thursday nights

This week will mark the 21st time in the Bengals' history that they play on a Thursday night. Cincinnati is 11-9 in previous Thursday contests, with an 8-2 record at home and a 3-7 mark on the road. The Bengals have played once before on Thanksgiving, falling 26-10 to the New York Jets on the road in 2010.

The Bengals and Ravens have met four times on Thursday night previously, and are tied 2-2 in those matchups. This game marks the third consecutive season the teams have played on Thursday night, all three in Baltimore. This season is the first in team history in which the Bengals play two Thursday night games.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Bengals: 5 storylines to watch in Week 13