Baltimore Ravens beat Bengals: The good, bad and the ugly
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Cincinnati Bengals 24-21. Here is a look at how they did it and what worked. We’ll also look at the things they need to work on going into week 12. Let’s dive in:
The Baltimore Ravens won the biggest game of their season to date. If the Ravens lost this game they would be in a world of hurt. For now, they are right in the playoff hunt. The best thing about this game wasn’t in the stats or on the scoreboard. There was a fresh feeling in this game. Yes, it was a do or die game, but it felt bigger than that. For many Ravens fans, Lamar Jackson’s first start signaled the beginning of something special. There is no doubt about it, Jackson was something to marvel at on Sunday.
Jackson’s athletic ability was in the spotlight the entire game. There were some plays where Jackson clearly showed us something the NFL isn’t used to seeing. Jackson ran wild on the Bengals. He ran for over 100 yards and his ability to scramble created some of the most exciting passing plays of the season. Joining Jackson in the 100 yard rushing club was Gus Edwards. Edwards showed a lot in this game. He didn’t waste any steps. He is a North and South runner who hit the rushing lanes hard all day long. The Ravens controlled the football for a huge chunk of time and put up over 400 yards in the contest.
The defense got a little taste of redemption. The Bengals were driving with the football at the end of the game. 4th and 12 loomed large in the nervous moments for the Ravens Flock. Instead of a heartbreaking touchdown, Marlon Humphrey broke up the Bengals’ final pass and that was all she wrote. The defense held Andy Dalton to 211 passing yards. Tyler Boyd is the only Bengals’ receiver to have a chunk of yards against the Ravens. He had 71 yards but he only notched four receptions on 11 plays where he was targeted. The defense got huge stops in this game. They forced six punts from the leg of Kevin Huber and forced a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Randy Bullock missed and the purple and black won by three.