BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens overcame their struggles in the fourth quarter with a remarkable performance. In a thrilling game Thursday night, the Ravens rallied from a 14-point deficit to secure a narrow victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing the game with a score of 35-34. More than half of their total yardage and 21 of their 35 points were scored in the final quarter, showcasing their resilience.
“It’s huge,” remarked tight end Mark Andrews. “A lot of teams can fold under pressure when things go wrong, but we fought hard all night. The belief, the determination, and the resilience of the guys are evident, and we understand that we never give up.”
The Ravens (7-3) possess a reputation for being difficult to outpace significantly. This was especially evident since they had not faced a 14-point deficit since November 7, 2021, against Minnesota, with Jackson at the helm.
One major challenge for the team had been finishing games strong. Prior to the match against Cincinnati, Baltimore had been outscored 93-61 in the final quarter of games. The team had previously lost a 10-point lead to the Raiders, nearly missed out on a win at Dallas, and allowed three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a hard-fought victory against Tampa Bay. However, against Cincinnati, they turned the tables by outscoring their opponents 21-13 in the last period and racking up an impressive 231 yards.
Jackson continued to impress, throwing for 290 yards and four touchdowns, contributing to his NFL-leading passer rating of 123.2. With a remarkable touchdown-to-interception ratio of 24 to 2 and an average of 9.3 yards per attempt, he is not just making waves through the air but could also be in contention for a third MVP award.
However, the secondary faced struggles again, losing standout safety Kyle Hamilton to an ankle injury during the game. Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase wreaked havoc, catching 11 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens’ defense. The absence of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins didn’t ease the challenge for Baltimore.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey expressed frustration following the game, stating, “These victories are becoming increasingly difficult to savor due to our performance in pass defense. We need to make changes. Everyone, including myself, must step up and function as a cohesive unit.”
Despite Joe Burrow throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns for Cincinnati, the Ravens managed to apply pressure on him. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike shone brightly in the game, notching three sacks after having previously recorded only two all season, sharing his satisfaction post-game. “It feels good. This year has definitely been more challenging with double teams, but I remained calm and focused,” he commented.
On the flip side, Baltimore’s top-ranked offense struggled to find its rhythm for large portions of the game. Penalties hampered their performance, leading to four three-and-out possessions in their first six drives. For the first time in 43 games, the Ravens also fell below 100 rushing yards. Derrick Henry was limited to just 68 yards on 16 carries, while the Bengals dominated possession with 75 plays compared to the Ravens’ 58.
In terms of injury updates, Hamilton left the game with a sprained ankle and did not return. Running back Keaton Mitchell was activated for the first time since his knee injury in December, making an immediate impact with a 30-yard kickoff return.
A notable statistic from the game was Tylan Wallace, who received for 115 yards—his highest in his 3.5-year career, following a standout 84-yard touchdown from a short pass in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Ravens have a bit of a break before facing off against Pittsburgh, who currently lead the AFC North, on November 17. Last year’s division champions will be eager to separate themselves from the Steelers, especially after being swept by them last season.