Soccer / sports

In a thrilling AFC North clash, Lamar Jackson’s four touchdown passes powered the Baltimore Ravens to a nail-biting 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. With just 38 seconds left, the Ravens defense staved off a two-point conversion attempt, sealing a game that was packed with high-stakes drama and a fierce back-and-forth. Bengals Opt for a Bold Finish After Ja’Marr Chase’s third touchdown, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor decided against overtime, opting for a two-point conversion. Instead of giving Jackson another chance in overtime, the Bengals gambled on one decisive play from the two-yard line. Burrow’s attempt to Tanner Hudson fell incomplete, however, giving the Ravens the win. With two nail-biting losses to Baltimore this season, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes now hang in the balance. A Tale of Explosive Offenses Both teams brought intense firepower to Thursday night’s contest, though the first half remained relatively low-scoring. Joe Burrow connected with Tanner Hudson for a touchdown to bring the score to 14-7 just before halftime. But in the second half, both offenses erupted. Chase’s 67-yard touchdown reception early in the third quarter, showcasing his unparalleled speed and agility, extended Cincinnati’s lead to 21-7. But Baltimore capitalized on a Bengals miscue soon after, with Chase Brown’s fumble setting up a Ravens touchdown that kept Baltimore within striking distance. Baltimore’s Climb Back into the Game The Ravens showed resilience, cutting the deficit to a single point when Tylan Wallace scored his first career touchdown on a remarkable 84-yard catch-and-run. Justin Tucker’s missed extra point left Baltimore trailing 21-20, but a series of offensive missteps from the Bengals allowed Baltimore to capitalize. Mark Andrews’ 18-yard touchdown on third-and-9, coupled with a successful two-point conversion, swung the lead to Baltimore at 28-21. A Fourth Quarter Duel The Bengals roared back in the fourth quarter, with Burrow finding Chase for a 70-yard touchdown that knotted the score. Jackson, however, answered with a methodical drive, culminating in a five-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman to give Baltimore a 35-28 lead. With under two minutes left, Burrow made a valiant push downfield, aided by a face mask penalty and a roughing the passer call. A final touchdown to Chase set up the Bengals’ two-point attempt, but Baltimore’s defense held firm. A Costly Loss for the Bengals Despite Burrow’s 428 yards and Chase’s 264-yard performance, Cincinnati fell short in a critical game that may impact their playoff chances. Jackson’s poise, paired with a determined Ravens defense, allowed Baltimore to hold on for their second victory over Cincinnati this season. As the season wears on, the Bengals may look back at these close losses to Baltimore as pivotal moments in their campaign. $945 per week for reading your favorite books