Baltimore vs. Cincinnati last month was a dream matchup for those who enjoy great quarterback play — Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow spent much of the game leading their teams up and down the field with remarkable ease.

For a defensive back, it was a bit less enjoyable.

“We felt like we should have lost,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “We won the game, but we did not play well, especially the secondary alone. ... Big plays — too many big plays — so we’re hoping to try to limit the passing attack and get going.”

The Ravens beat Cincinnati 41-38 in overtime last month. The teams traded touchdowns for a while before an interception by Humphrey enabled Baltimore to kick a tying field goal and force OT. The question now, heading into tonight’s rematch, is whether the defenses will be any better equipped to slow down Jackson and Burrow.

Jackson threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 55 yards in the first meeting. Burrow threw for 392 yards and five TDs.

The Bengals (4-5) are trying to dig out of an early hole, and they’ve won three of four since that loss to Baltimore. The Ravens (6-3) have won five of six after an 0-2 start.

Jackson is coming off a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against Denver last weekend. Burrow threw five TDs in a win over Las Vegas.

Baltimore is 21-3 in prime-time home games under coach John Harbaugh.

mahomes practices with bum ankle

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes practiced as usual Wednesday and plans to be ready for this weekend’s game against the Broncos, two days after tweaking his left ankle while throwing a touchdown pass in a win over the Buccaneers.

Mahomes was rolling to his right and thinking about running for a first down as the Chiefs were trying to rally in the second half against Tampa Bay on Monday night. He suddenly saw Samaje Perine coming open and flicked a pass to him in the end zone, just as his ankle caught in the soggy turf of Arrowhead Stadium and sent a sharp pain rocketing through it.

Mahomes lay on the sideline for a moment before he was helped partway across the field, then trotted without any assistance the rest of the way to the Kansas City sideline. He was examined there but did not miss a play, eventually helping the Chiefs to another touchdown in regulation and the winning drive in overtime for a 30-24 victory over the Bucs.

“It’s doing good,” Mahomes said of his ankle Wednesday. “Obviously went on a little bit of a roll. It’s a little sore. But I’m able to move around and looking forward to getting out in practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on.”

young to remain panthers’ QB

Bryce Young will remain Carolina’s starting quarterback, even as his long-term future with the Panthers remains murky.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said following Wednesday’s practice that Young will make his third straight start on Sunday in Germany against the New York Giants.

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, led Carolina to a come-from-behind 23-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints last weekend — his first win since last December — to improve to 3-17 as an NFL starter.

Young will start in Munich over a healthy Andy Dalton, who took over from Young in Week 3 and started five games before suffering a sprained right thumb in a car crash.

jaguars sign beathard for QB depth

An injury to Trevor Lawrence’s non-throwing shoulder prompted the Jacksonville Jaguars to bring back veteran backup C.J. Beathard.

The Jaguars (2-7) signed Beathard off Miami’s practice squad to “give us assurance” in case Lawrence can’t play against Minnesota (6-2), coach Doug Pederson said.

Lawrence was limited in practice Wednesday. Mac Jones remains the backup, and Beathard is the third option. The trio spent the offseason together before Beathard injured his groin in the preseason and was released.

also

The Tennessee Titans placed center Lloyd Cushenberry and veteran safety Quandre Diggs on injured reserve and signed Mike Edwards to help replace Diggs in the secondary. Both Cushenberry (ankle) and Diggs (foot) were hurt in last week’s overtime win over New England. ... The Buffalo Bills bulked up their interior run defensive front with two familiar players by signing tackles Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson. The 32-year-old Phillips returns to Buffalo for a third stint in a signing that comes a day after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys. Jefferson’s signing comes a day after he was released by the Cleveland Browns, for whom he was a healthy scratch the past four games after appearing in the first five.