Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) – Baltimore Ravens (2-0): 24-27
Winner of the AFC North for the last two years, Cincinnati could not have had a worse start to the season. Two games, two losses, each time against a divisional opponent.
After the Browns, it was the Ravens who dominated the Bengals, not yet resolved like their quarterback Joe Burrow (27/41 passing, 222 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) who reinjured his calf . Baltimore’s running game (178 YDS despite the absence of JK Dobbins) and a solid Lamar Jackson (24/33, 237 YDS, 2 TD, 54 YDS on the ground) were enough to bring Cincy down.
The Bengals attack (again) is struggling
After last week’s terrible performance in Cleveland, Bengals fans are obviously waiting for a reaction from Joe Burrow and his teammates. Except that it’s Lamar Jackson and the Ravens who rule the roost at the start of the match.
First drive for Baltimore, first touchdown: Jackson distributes the ball well, especially towards Odell Beckham Jr., the Ravens’ running game weighs, and running back Gus Edwards (10 races, 62 YDS, 1 TD) finds the opposing end zone to conclude a long series of almost eight minutes (0-7).
Cincinnati’s reaction came at the start of the second quarter, but not through the attack, once again struggling like against the Browns. Rather, it was rookie Charlie Jones who put the Bengals back in the saddle with a huge 81-yard punt return (7-7).
81-YARD PUNT RETURN TD @BENGALS
📺: #BALvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/cW9JVHJeQt— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
We had to wait until the middle of the second quarter to see Joe Burrow’s band finally find their rhythm. Tee Higgins stands out (8 REC, 89 YDS, 2 TD), Joe Mixon too (13 races, 59 YDS, 36 YDS receiving), but it gets stuck when it comes time to conclude. Same problem with the Ravens: despite Lamar Jackson who advances his team with his arm as with his legs, the penalties weigh down the Ravens. As a result, we see an exchange of field goals at the end of the first half. 2/2 for Justin Tucker (after a 59-yard failure at the start of the match), 1/1 for Evan McPherson, and 10-13 for Baltimore at the break.
Baltimore holds on
In possession of the ball to start the second period, Joe Burrow found Joe Mixon for a big gain of 32 yards. Is the Bengals offense finally underway? Not so fast, as Burrow then sent an interception into the hands of Geno Stone. And behind, the Ravens punish in attack. Lamar Jackson, who must cope without an injured Beckham Jr., turns to his rookie Zay Flowers (4 REC, 62 YDS) for a huge 52-yard reception, before finding his tight end Mark Andrews (5 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD) for the touchdown (10-20).
With their backs against the wall, the Bengals no longer have a choice, they must react. So Burrow turns to his playmakers: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Joe Cool’s three favorite receivers shine at the end of the third quarter, a defensive penalty hurts Baltimore, and Cincinnati reduces the score on a reception from Higgins in the end zone (17-20).
The problem with this Cincinnati team is that when the offense starts to work, it’s the defense that starts to give up. The Ravens quickly calm the enthusiasm of the Bengals by moving up the field based on big plays: 20 yards rushing for Gus Edwards, 20 yards receiving for Mark Andrews, then 17 yard touchdown by Nelson Agholor (5 REC, 63 YDS , 1 TD). 17-27 for Baltimore in the fourth quarter, it doesn’t look good for Cincinnati.
FIRST TD AS A RAVEN FOR NELLY❗️
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/7B7sHuDWYa
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 17, 2023
With ten points behind and less than eight minutes to play, the Bengals almost completely abandoned the running game. The one-dimensional side of the attack does not prevent Cincinnati from advancing, Burrow still relying on Tyler Boyd (6 REC, 52 YDS) and Tee Higgins. But the clock is ticking and the Bengals need 16 plays to reach the opposing end zone. It is once again Higgins who will reduce the score (24-27), except that it is already too late. In the final minutes, Baltimore did what it took to secure the victory by picking up two first downs on the run.
24-27 final score. Second victory for the Ravens, second loss for the Bengals.
