Baltimore Ravens Have Historically Bad Performance At The Worst Time
The Baltimore Ravens’ Thanksgiving showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals turned into a historic disaster, as a relentless barrage of turnovers led to a stunning 32-14 primetime loss. In a game that was supposed to solidify their position atop the AFC North, the Ravens instead self-destructed, setting several undesirable franchise records and handing the division lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Baltimore Ravens Cough The Ball Up
The story of the night was Baltimore’s inability to hold onto the football. The team committed five total turnovers, a mark they hadn’t reached in a single game since 2013. The performance was particularly shocking at home, as the franchise hadn’t turned the ball over five times in a home game in 18 years, dating back to a 2007 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
A Cascade of Costly Mistakes
The Ravens lost four fumbles for the first time in a game since 2007, coincidentally also against the Bengals. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was responsible for two lost fumbles and an interception, while tight end Isaiah Likely and rookie receiver Zay Flowers each coughed up the ball once.
These giveaways were especially damaging considering the opponent. The Bengals entered the contest with one of the league’s most generous defenses and had only managed ten takeaways through their first eleven games. On Thanksgiving, they nearly matched half that total in one night, feasting on Baltimore’s mistakes and converting them into points.
The Ravens’ normally stout defense, which had not allowed more than 20 points in its last six games, couldn’t withstand the pressure of constantly defending short fields and eventually broke, allowing 32 points.
Jackson’s Struggles Continue
The loss also highlighted a concerning trend for Lamar Jackson. The quarterback’s struggles with passing reached a new low, as he has now gone three consecutive games without throwing a touchdown for the first time in his career as a starter. Over that same three-game span, he has recorded zero passing touchdowns, zero rushing touchdowns, three interceptions, and three lost fumbles.
Final Thoughts
The defeat drops the Ravens to 6-6 and complicates their path to the postseason. With a difficult remaining schedule that includes two games against the rival Steelers, another matchup with the Bengals, and contests against the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, the Ravens have little room for error. What was once a promising season is now at a critical juncture, and the team must find a way to eliminate the self-inflicted wounds that led to their historic Thanksgiving collapse.
