A dramatic drop has occurred in the Ravens' rating for this game, and it’s well deserved (and maybe not enough). The Ravens' top two quarterbacks are out. There's not much of a drop-off with Tyler Huntley starting for Lamar Jackson, but 35-year-old Josh Johnson gets the start. The drop-off to him is huge. The Ravens' lineup was already diluted because of injuries everywhere, and they'll struggle here with Johnson. Bengals to cover.

Never do we see Baltimore getting a full touchdown. However, this is not a normal Ravens team. On top of a defense torn asunder by injuries and COVID-19, the offense will send out QB Josh Johnson in lieu of Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley. The veteran has experience, but he was acquired just last week from the Jets' practice squad. Coach John Harbaugh has no peer as far as preparing his team as an underdog; since 2018, it is 13-1 ATS in such scenarios. But he is no miracle worker.

This line is about to climb as Lamar Jackson (ankle) looks doubtful and Tyler Huntley is now headed to the COVID-19 list. That means Josh Johnson will start for a Ravens team that has already been struck hard with illness. The Bengals, meanwhile, will be at full capacity with Joe Mixon not missing practice as he was expected to this week. I was prepared to take the Ravens to cover with Huntley behind center, but now the Bengals are the play at anything less than a touchdown in a home spot in a must-win game during a tight playoff race.

Lamar Jackson (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day Thursday, and 12 players on the Ravens' 53-man roster are on the COVID list. The list includes key guys like pass rusher Justin Houston, corner Jimmy Smith, defensive end Justin Madubuike and wideout Sammy Watkins. The Ravens rank 31st against the pass. Joe Burrow excels against the blitz, as he showed in the first meeting -- a 41-17 Bengals' beatdown in Baltimore. This line is trending upward. I'm playing the Bengals -3 at -115.