Ravens’ Victory Sealed by Lamar Jackson’s Late Heroics
Lamar Jackson continued to prove his prowess against the Cincinnati Bengals with yet another dramatic finish. His 5-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman with just under two minutes on the clock propelled the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-34 win. This victory solidified Jackson’s dominance over the Bengals, bringing his career record against them to an impressive 10-1.
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A Nail-Biting Finale with a Defensive Stand
The game’s intensity carried through to the final seconds. With just 38 seconds on the clock, the Ravens’ defense stymied the Bengals’ attempt at a 2-point conversion, compelling Joe Burrow into an incomplete pass. This preserved Jackson’s 12th career game-winning drive, though controversy arose regarding whether a penalty should have been called on the play.
Jackson’s Season of Game-Winning Drives
This season alone, Jackson has orchestrated two game-winning drives against Cincinnati, with the first coming in a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory last month. After a tough start in the first half, where he was held to just 71 yards, Jackson rebounded with 15 completions out of 19 attempts, amassing 219 yards and throwing for three touchdowns. Baltimore’s offense exploded in the second half, scoring 28 points—the highest by any team in a second half this season.
Ravens Take AFC North Lead
With this victory, the Ravens (7-3) moved into a virtual tie for first place in the AFC North alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2). Additionally, they achieved a season sweep over Cincinnati for the second consecutive year.
Quarterback Breakdown: Jackson Dominates Late
In the game’s closing minutes, Jackson’s performance soared, completing 11 of 13 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. His passing yards ranked second-highest in any fourth quarter this season, only behind Jordan Love’s 202 yards in Week 4. Jackson’s touchdown passes from outside the pocket—nine total this season—are also unmatched by any other quarterback, with Burrow ranking second with five.
Standout Moment: Tylan Wallace’s First Career Touchdown
Tylan Wallace showcased his playmaking skills by recording his first career touchdown catch at a crucial juncture. Down 21-14, Wallace took a short out pass and, while managing to stay in bounds, raced down the left sideline for an 84-yard score. Wallace had the second-highest YACOE on reception since 2018, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, with 78 yards after the catch exceeding expectations.
Concerns in Baltimore’s Secondary
Baltimore’s defense, particularly its pass coverage, continued to struggle, especially without All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle injury). In the second half, the Ravens’ defense allowed Ja’Marr Chase two lengthy touchdown receptions of 67 and 70 yards. To date, Baltimore’s secondary has permitted a league-high 28 completions of 25 yards or more.
Unexpected Moment: Justin Tucker’s Rare Miss
Reliable Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowler, missed an extra point in the fourth quarter—a rare occurrence as he had successfully made 75 consecutive extra points prior. This miss came at a critical moment, though he rebounded with accuracy in field goals earlier in the season.
Bengals Highlights
Ja’Marr Chase’s Record-Setting Night
Ja’Marr Chase demonstrated his playmaking skills, recording his sixth game with at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown. This milestone ties him with Lance Alworth for third most games by a player under age 25, just behind Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson (seven games each). Chase had an outstanding 11 catches for 264 yds and a pair of scores at the end of the evening.
Game-Changing Moment: Chase Brown’s Fumble
In a pivotal third-quarter play, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey forced a fumble from Bengals running back Chase Brown. This turnover led to a 21-point surge by Baltimore, allowing the Ravens to close the score gap and eventually secure the win. Brown’s fumble also magnified Cincinnati’s ongoing struggles in the ground game.
Quarterback Breakdown: Joe Burrow’s Resilient Performance
Despite facing constant defensive pressure and the absence of wide receiver Tee Higgins, Burrow displayed resilience. His 70-yard touchdown pass to Chase in the fourth quarter cut into Baltimore’s momentum after the Ravens’ 21-point rally. Burrow ended the game with 428 yards and four touchdown passes, marking his ninth game surpassing 350 passing yards and three touchdowns—an all-time high for the Bengals.
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