The Baltimore Ravens move to 8-3 on the season and give themselves some more breathing room atop the AFC North with their 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night to open up Week 11. While there was plenty of hype rolling into this divisional matchup, a couple of key injuries deflated the first half of action.
First, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury on Baltimore's opening drive of the game and was quickly ruled out. after the game, John Harbaugh indicated Andrews is likely done for the season. Later, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went down with what Zac Taylor called a right wrist sprain. The Cincinnati star was in noticeable pain after completing a short touchdown throw to Joe Mixon midway through the second quarter. He was initially looked at in the blue medical tent and then couldn't grip the football on a couple of sideline practice throws. It was at that point that Burrow departed to the locker room early before halftime and was later ruled out.
Naturally, that sent this game on a different trajectory. Jake Browning came in to relieve Burrow and the former undrafted free agent wasn't able to lead Cincinnati on consistent scoring drives. After Burrow exited, the Ravens sandwiched two touchdown drives in between a Bengals punt before halftime to go into the break up 11. That proved to be plenty of room to keep the Browning-led Bengals at arm's length. Burrow was 11 of 17 for 101 yards and a touchdown before departing, while Browning finished with 68 yards and a late touchdown pass to Ja'Marr Chase.
As for Baltimore, Lamar Jackson -- who also seemed hobbled at times in this game with an apparent ankle issue -- finished with 16 of 26 passing for 264 yards and two touchdowns. His go-to receiver was Odell Beckham Jr., who had four catches for 116 yards (most in a game since 2021). However, in fitting fashion for how this game unfolded, Beckham also suffered a shoulder injury in this winning effort in the fourth quarter, which required X-rays and forced him to miss the final minutes of regulation.
For more on this game, check out our takeaways below.
Of course, the road to victory got a bit easier for the Ravens once Burrow went down, which was obviously a factor. That said, Baltimore was dealt a difficult blow on the opening drive when it lost Andrews due to an ankle injury. Lamar Jackson did a strong job pivoting after losing his go-to pass catcher and was able to connect with eight other Ravens on the night through the air. Baltimore also ran the ball effectively, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and Gus Edwards continues to be one of the better goal-line backs in the league, punching in two scores. As for the defense, the Ravens did a superb job covering Ja'Marr Chase even when Burrow was under center. The star wideout was limited to just two catches on the night and his final reception (a goal-line touchdown) was in garbage time. Again, it was a rather easy eighth win down the stretch due to Burrow's injury, but the Ravens continue to show traits of being a legit contender (though the loss of Andrews -- along with Odell Beckham Jr., who hurt his shoulder late -- will be extremely tough to overcome.)
We'll note Burrow's injury a bit more below, but the Bengals' inability to score with Jake Browning at quarterback was their demise. His first drive lasted just five plays and traveled 22 yards before punting away to the Ravens, who'd answer that with their second straight touchdown drive before the half. In the second half, Cincinnati scored an opening-drive field goal, but then proceeded to go three-and-out on the following three drives. That inability to put points with Browning allowed Baltimore to go on cruise control for the final two quarters.
Joe Burrow's injury turned the game on its head. When he was on the field, Cincinnati had just taken a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter after Burrow led an 82-yard touchdown drive that culminated with him completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Joe Mixon. Instead of what could've been a momentum-shifting drive in favor of the Bengals, that was the last we saw of Burrow and effectively erased whatever chance there was of Cincinnati escaping Baltimore with a win.
Once Burrow left, the Ravens scored 14 unanswered points going into halftime, which left the Browning-led Bengals in the dust.
Beckham turned back the clock a bit in this game, logging four receptions for 116 yards in the win. That includes this long reception from Lamar Jackson in the fourth quarter. This was the first game that Beckham -- who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens this offseason -- logged at least 100 yards receiving since the 2021 NFC Championship. It was his first regular-season game with 100 receiving yards since 2019 and the most he's posted since Week 2 against the Jets in 2019.
Beckham did leave this game with a shoulder injury, so his status is worth monitoring. If he's healthy, he could end up being the No. 1 target in this Baltimore offense with Andrews shelved for the year.
From here, the Bengals will have yet another AFC North matchup as they will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. Meanwhile, the Ravens will be in prime time again next week for a "Sunday Night Football" showdown against the Chargers in Los Angeles.
Ravens recover the onside kick, and that's a rap. Ravens take it, 34-20 and will go to 8-3. Bengals are now 5-5.
I'd give the MVP tonight to Beckham, who had over 100 yards in a game for the first time since 2019.
Chase's TD.
Browning hits Chase, but it's too little too late.
But give Browning credit for battling and leading the Bengals on a couple of scoring drives. He was put in a tough spot but played hard and largely played well.
Will be interesting if he has to start next Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Back to the game, Kyle Van Noy just got a sack against Orlando Brown. Just an inexcusable performance tonight from the Bengals' O-line.
For the Ravens, they are the Chiefs' biggest threat in the race to get the No. 2 seed. Baltimore has two games left against North foes and will go on a bye week after they face the Chargers in L.A. next week.
Their remaining four games are tough: at JAX and SF, at home vs. Miami and Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati still has a shot to make the playoffs, though, but they don't have more more margin for error. They have 7 games left, 6 against teams with winning records.
Need to probably beat the Colts and Vikings at home, win 2 of their remaining 3 games against division foes Pitt and Cle and grab another win somewhere else.
Edwards scores his second TD of the night, and the Ravens have put this one on ice with 4:49 left.
Pending a miracle, Ravens will move to 8-3 and will be 1.5 games ahead of the Browns and Steelers and three games ahead of the Bengals, whose hopes for a third straight AFC North division title appeared to have been extinguished tonight.
Jackson hits OBJ deep downfield. Beckham seemed to be shaken up after the catch.
OBJ has been laying into the rookie Turner. He's up to 116 yards on four catches, easily his best day as a Raven.
Bengals run defense has struggled lately. They allowed Devin Singletary to run for 150 yards last week.
Ravens started chipping and paying extra attention to Trey Hendrickson and it's paying off. Ravens have largely protected Jackson in the pocket.
Baltimore's offense has been a collaborative effort. Edwards, Jackson and Mitchell each have eight carries tonight for a total of 130 yards and a TD.
Ravens doing what the Ravens do, playing smash mouth football with a lead in the fourth quarter. Mitchell gives Baltimore another first down with 12 minutes to go. Bengals need a turnover in the worst way.
Tucker makes it a 27-13 game. Feels like a much bigger lead than that though with Burrow out.
Bengals should try Chase deep again on this drive, maybe on first down. Chase always came down with a deep pass on the last drive but was out of bounds.
Keaton Mitchell getting warmed up now with a nice run as Ravens are in FG range. Ravens just firing on all cylinders.
Jackson's tries to hit OBJ in the end zone but Awuzie doesn't allow it. Looked like he grabbed OBJ's hand but refs let it go.
Chase unable to grab Browning's deep pass in bounds, so Bengals have to punt. Oweh's second down sack basically ended that drive.
Ravens to start the drive at their own 44 with a chance to put this one away. Expect them to be aggressive here.
Ravens running game is warming up after a slow start. Edwards' big run helped set up Tucker's field goal.
Ravens answer the Bengals' FG with a 3 of his own. It's 24-13 late in the first. Bengals red zone defense steps up but Cincinnati running out of time.
Ravens having their way with the Bengals' defense on this drive. Jackson is clearly being bothered by something but he's making enough plays to keep the defense honest. This has been the best game by Baltimore's wideouts since Week 2.
Bengals defense will be without Cam Taylor-Britt for the rest of the night. Huge loss, as he is their best DB.
DJ Turner II and DJ Ivey will get more reps with Taylor-Britt out. Turner committed a questionable DPI in the first half.
And we have a 21-13 game. So far, this stage hasn't been too big for Browning, who got a boost on the drive from Mixon.
But the Bengals' defense is going to have to make some splash plays if Cincinnati is going to win this game.
Bengals aren't going away. Browning fires a deep pass to Irwin and Rock Ya-Sin commits DPI. So it's first and goal for Cincinnati. Worst case this should be a 21-13 game.
Joe Burrow will probably not play in the second half. Burrow will now become a coach for Jake Browning, who played most of the preseason.
Burrow walking back onto the field with his right hand in his pocket. No word on whether or not he plans to play in the second half. Cincinnati will start with the ball.
It's 21-10 Ravens as Jackson hit Bateman for a 10-yard strike. Taylor-Britt appeared to get shaken up on the play, so things going from bad to worse for Baltimore.
Man, some questionable calls going against the Bengals. Two penalties against Bengals DBs on this drive on passes that didn't appear to be catchable.
BJ Hill now getting help from the medical staff.
Still a game, but you're starting to get the feeling that this might not be the Bengals' year, with Burrow and Higgins dealing with injuries and now Hill. Hendrickson playing with an injury, too, and Sam Hubbard inactive tonight as well.
Browning had success on the drive, but the officials determined that Irwin didn't maintain possession on the third-down pass. Ravens have a chance to add to their 14-10 lead before halftime.
Browning in the game for the Bengals. His first play is a first down completion to Trenton Irwin.
