Did someone say game of the year? Well it certainly appeared that way as the Ravens and Bengals battled on Sunday, with the Ravens coming away with a 41-38 overtime victory to move to 3-2 on the year.
It was a back and forth contest all afternoon as each team scored two touchdowns in the first half with the only difference coming from a successful Bengals two-point conversion and a safety caused when Ravens running back Derrick henry was talked in his own end zone. The Bengals would hold onto a 17-14 lead as the two teams entered the half.
The second half was no different as the two teams traded touchdowns to begin the second half. With the Ravens trailing 31-28 with just over nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow found his top receiving target Ja’Marr Chase on a quick screen that he took 70-yards to give the Bengals a 38-28 lead. Chase was nearly unstoppable on Sunday as he torched the Ravens secondary finishing the day with 10 catches for 193 yards and two scores.
Despite the momentum being on the Bengals side following the big play by Chase, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson showed why he would not be denied of a win. With 5:24 left to play in the game the Ravens had the ball at the Bengals six-yard line. Jackson bobbled the shotgun snap picking it up and rolling out to his right. As he got close to the Bengals sideline, Jackson jumped throwing the ball in the end zone to a leaping Isaiah Likely for the score.
Now down 38-35 the Ravens defense needed to find a way to get a stop to give their MVP quarterback just one more chance to tie or win the game. It appeared the Bengals were on their way to another score to ice the game, but with just over three minutes to play from the Ravens 33-yard line, Burrow made his first mistake of the game. Looking for Chase on a quick slant, Burrow instead found a closely guarding Marlon Humphrey for the interception, his second of the year.
A Justin Tucker 56-yard field goal following the interception tied the game at 38 with 1:35 left to play.
The Bengals would fail to muster up a game winning drive in regulation and the game would have to be decided in overtime.
The Ravens won the toss and looked to be on their way to stealing a victory after trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter. But on first down from the Bengals 39-yard line Jackson again would mishandle the snap, this time leading to a Bengals recovery at the Ravens 38-yard line.
Although the Bengals had thrown all over the Ravens for nearly the entirety of the game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor went conservative, choosing to run the ball on three straight plays and set his kicker Evan McPherson up for a 53-yard field goal attempt. A botched hold would cause McPherson to miss wide left, and again giving life back to the Ravens.
Ravens running back Derrick Henry would take the first snap around the left side for a gain of 51-yards down to the Bengals six-yard line. The Ravens would waste no time running Tucker on as he would connect from 24-yards out to give the Ravens the 41-38 victory in overtime.
Sunday win showed that the Ravens can beat you in a multitude of ways not just running the ball. Henry had just 41-yards on the ground prior to his 51-yard run to set up the game winning field goal. It was all about Lamar Jackson and his 348 yards passing and four passing touchdowns that paved the way to a Ravens victory. If teams continue to sell out to stop the run like the Bengals did, it looks like the 2024 version of Jackson will have no problem beating you through the air, which makes the Ravens a very dangerous team moving forward.
While the Ravens offense thrived it was another poor showing for the Ravens defensively as they surrendered the most points they have all season, while also allowing for Burrow to throw for 392 yards on 30-for-39 passing, and five touchdowns. While the pressure upfront for the Ravens remained, as they sacked Burrow three times. It was the inability to get off the field on critical third downs, as the Bengals went 8-for-14 on third downs, that kept the Bengals on the field and gave them plenty of scoring opportunities.
Sundays win goes a long way as the Ravens not only keep pace with the Steelers for the AFC north division lead, but it also continues to bury the Bengals as the loss moves them to 1-4 making their path to a division crown, and playoff appearance a continued uphill battle for the remainder of the season.
Next the Ravens square off against the 4-1 Washington Commanders as they make the short drive up to Baltimore next Sunday for a 1 P.M matchup.
Games Notes:
Ravens running back Derrick Henry surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards and 100 career touchdowns on Sunday.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers led all Ravens receivers with 111 receiving yards.
Linebacker Roquan Smith led all Ravens with 15 total tackles.
Tight end Charlie Kolar had a career high 64 receiving yards.
Ravens outgained the Bengals 520-442.
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