Baltimore Ravens (7-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-6): 35-34
For many years, Lamar Jackson was considered a quarterback capable of rolling when his team dominated, but struggling once behind. This Thursday, the reigning MVP added yet another card to his kit: that of the man of comebacks.
Baltimore trailed 21-7 in the third quarter. But Lamar Jackson (25/33, 290 yards, 4 TDs – 7 races, 33 yards) threw three touchdowns in the last quarter to put the Ravens back in front with 1mn49 remaining.
He then got a little help from his defense to finish the job. A defense that held on to the necessary action. Because Cincinnati went back 70 yards in a little over a minute to score thanks to an absolutely unleashed Ja'Marr Chase (11 rec, 264 yards, 3 TDs). But rather than an extra point for the equalizer, Zac Taylor decided to try a two-point conversion for the win. And this time, Joe Burrow's pass (34/56, 428 yards, 4 TDs) for Tyler Hudson did not find the target.
As in the first match between the two teams this season, Jackson showed that he is no longer afraid of being led.
The Ravens defense in two actions
If the Ravens defense held on to the decisive two-point conversion, it was also what changed the tide of this match. Or at least kept the hope alive. In the third quarter, the Bengals had the ball and were already leading 21-7 when Marlon Humphrey appeared to snatch the leather from Chase Brown's hands. The purples recover the ball 31 yards from the opposing goal, and off we go for a crazy comeback!
Derrick Henry (16 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD) scores on the ground. Then there are the three touchdowns thrown by Jackson in the last quarter, respectively for Tylan Wallace (3 rec, 115 yards, 1 TD), Mark Andrews (6 rec, 68 yards, 1 TD) and Rashod Bateman (6 rec, 54 yards , 1 TD).
Obviously a satisfaction, even if there must be concern on the defensive side in Baltimore. The air defense is the worst in the league, and that wasn't helped by Kyle Hamilton going out with an ankle injury in the second quarter.
The Bengals are running out of steam
If the Ravens came back, it's because their attack ended up cracking a Bengals defense that was solid for a long time. It's difficult to keep Baltimore's steamroller going for sixty minutes, but a few missed tackles and long touchdowns still do the job. An excitement at the end of the match which erases an incredible match from Ja'Marr Chase and a very solid performance from Joe Burrow.
A match also marked by long actions, since three touchdowns of more than 65 yards were scored!
With a seventh victory, the Ravens remain in the fight with the Steelers (6-2) for the NFC North division. The most impressive thing is that Zay Flowers (4 rec, 34 yards) is not having a big game, and that rookie Diontae Johnson (1 rec, 6 yards) is remaining discreet for the moment.
Cincinnati continues to fight for its survival in the race for the playoffs.
