AFC North Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, 1 p.m. Eastern on CBS. Cincinnati arrives rested off its bye. Baltimore arrives grumpy after a last-snap loss in Cleveland. Laura Kessel says every story starts with the quarterback. Owen Pratt says every story ends with the defense. Somebody is going to be wrong by Sunday night.
Owen: Welcome to Baltimore, Laura, the only city in the league that named its football team after a poem. Edgar Allan Poe lived here and is buried here. We have literature, we have crab cakes, and we have two Lombardi Trophies.
Laura: We have chili on spaghetti, and we're proud of it. And for the record, our franchise was founded by Paul Brown. We have socks older than your team.
Owen: Two Super Bowls, Laura. How many do you have?
Laura: We're pacing ourselves.
Last game, Bengals: Before the bye, Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes in Miami, completing 23 of 32 to nine different receivers. Burrow also found tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson and running back Samaje Perine for scores. Safety Jordan Battle intercepted Malik Willis on back-to-back drives.
Laura: That's the whole philosophy. Give Joe time and he'll find somebody. Give him Ja'Marr and he'll find somebody spectacular.
Last week, Ravens: Baltimore led Cleveland 10-0 early and lost 13-10 on Andre Szmyt's 37-yard field goal on the final snap. Derrick Henry lost his first fumble of the season in the fourth quarter, and the Browns tied it on the next drive. Baltimore went scoreless on its final nine possessions.
Owen: It stung, and it stung more because Todd Monken, our offensive coordinator the last three years, was on the other sideline. But I'll tell you what I saw: our defense played well enough to win that game. Henry took the blame himself after the game. That's a pro. He'll be fine.
The big storyline: Lamar Jackson's ankle is the status to watch this week. He hurt it in the Week 4 win against Tennessee, has missed two games since, and hasn't practiced since he got hurt. On Monday, coach Jesse Minter said Jackson has made progress but is still day to day, that he could possibly practice Wednesday, and that the team will know a lot more then. The official injury report isn't out yet. Huntley, who won a week earlier in overtime against Atlanta, is ready either way.
Laura: Quarterback-first, Owen. If Lamar plays, this is a heavyweight fight. If he doesn't, Joe Burrow is the best quarterback on the field, and it isn't close.
Owen: And Roquan Smith, Trey Hendrickson and Nnamdi Madubuike will be standing in his face asking him how close it is.
The matchup: Hendrickson against the Bengals offensive tackles is the headline, and yes, Bengals fans know exactly who Trey Hendrickson is. Chase against Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins is the one you'll see on every highlight. On the other side, Cincinnati's front with Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen in the middle will try to do what Cleveland did: get Henry stopped early and make the Ravens throw.
The numbers: Baltimore has scored 156 and allowed 132 in six games. Cincinnati has scored 128 and allowed 109 in five.
Owen: Final word. The AFC North is a three-way tie at the top, and we're in it. Where are you?
Laura: Right behind you with a game in hand and a quarterback who just had a week off. Sleep well, Owen. Nevermore.
Owen: You can't quote Poe at me in my own building.
Laura: Watch me.
My call: Ravens 28, Bengals 21.