The Baltimore Ravens started hot in their Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The defense continued its usual success in holding off opposing offenses in the red zone, and Baltimore’s offense looked explosive for the first time in weeks.
Running back Derrick Henry’s 28-yard touchdown run had the team rolling over. But that was all the offense would get. While the defense was dominant across the first half, the offense remained lackluster and made countless miscues.
Ultimately, they fell to the Bengals, 29-14.
A fumble by quarterback Lamar Jackson on the Ravens’ two-yard line, another fumble by tight end Isaiah Likely on the goal line, and an offensive pass interference by wide receiver Zay Flowers on a touchdown catch gave Cincinnati nearly all the momentum. However, the defense kept Baltimore within two points despite all the errors. One last mistake at the end of the first half, though, shifted the momentum once more.
Deep inside Baltimore’s own territory, Jackson dropped back on first-and-10, and after a pump fake, he lost the football. The Bengals recovered, setting them up for another field goal by kicker Evan McPherson. The fumble call was certainly a questionable one, though.
This is ruled a Lamar Jackson fumble and not an incompletion pic.twitter.com/xSVmFUMaB1
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) November 28, 2025
Referees screw Ravens on Lamar Jackson fumble call
The play most closely relates to the polarizing ‘Tuck Rule’ that bailed out quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the 2001 AFC Divisional Game against the Oakland Raiders. In this instance, instead of a fumble, it was ruled incomplete. They have since changed the rule, and while Jackson's fumble was similar, it was still far from the same.
Jackson was not bringing the ball back to his chest. While he showed hesitance to throw it, it looked like he failed to maintain control through the process of his throwing motion. It was clearly coming loose about halfway after his arm was coming forward. In most cases, a play like that would have been ruled incomplete. Not on Thursday night, though.
Thankfully, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense was able to hold the Bengals to a field goal, keeping it a one-score game in the process. Still, the offense had a golden opportunity to put themselves ahead before heading to the locker room for halftime. Instead, they put themselves at an even bigger disadvantage.
It was not the first call by the referees that raised some eyebrows. On the aforementioned offensive pass interference on Flowers, NBC Rules analyst Terry McAulay stated he did not believe it was enough to warrant a flag.
Regardless, the Ravens had plenty of chances to get back in the game. Overall, it was an embarrassing performance from Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and his offense.