The Bengals Fall to the Ravens in a Brutal Game of Attrition
The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a disappointing defeat on Thursday night, falling to the Baltimore Ravens 34-20 in a game marred by injuries. Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow left the game with a sprained wrist in the second quarter, while top cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt also exited with a quad injury.
The Ravens, who improved to 8-3 with the win, didn't escape unscathed either. Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury early in the game, and quarterback Lamar Jackson needed his left ankle heavily taped after a tackle by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson.
Despite the injuries, the Ravens were able to take control of the game in the second quarter, scoring on four straight drives after Burrow left. Jackson threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Kenyan Drake added 113 yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals were unable to muster much offense without Burrow, and their defense struggled to contain Jackson and the Ravens' passing attack. The Ravens racked up five sacks and held the Bengals to just 221 yards of total offense.
The loss dropped the Bengals to 5-5 and dealt a significant blow to their hopes of winning the AFC North. They now trail the Ravens by three games with just six games remaining.
Key Takeaways
- Joe Burrow's injury is a major blow to the Bengals' playoff hopes.
- The Ravens' passing attack was too much for the Bengals' defense to handle.
- The Ravens are the clear favorites to win the AFC North.
Looking Ahead
The Bengals will look to bounce back next week when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens will travel to take on the Carolina Panthers.
