Baltimore Ravens Demolish Cincinnati Bengals To Eliminate Cincinnati From Playoff Contention
The Ravens didn’t just beat the Bengals; they completely dismantled them, walking away with a 24-0 victory that felt every bit as dominant as the scoreboard suggests. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
Here’s a breakdown of how the Ravens kept their season alive while officially closing the curtain on Cincinnati’s playoff dreams.
Lamar Jackson Finds His Rhythm
The box score might not look eye-popping at first glance—8-for-12 passing for 150 yards—but Lamar Jackson was efficient when it mattered most. After a slow start where both teams seemed allergic to the end zone, Jackson woke up the offense late in the second quarter. He connected with Rasheen Ali for a 30-yard catch-and-run that finally broke the scoreless tie. Just four minutes later, he orchestrated a surgical hurry-up drive, capping it off with a 28-yard strike to Zay Flowers.
Jackson played smart, clean football, avoiding the disastrous mistakes that plagued his counterpart on the other sideline. When you have Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell combining for 166 rushing yards, you don’t need to be a hero on every play; you just need to be the conductor. And Jackson conducted this symphony perfectly.
Defense Brings the Swagger Back
The Ravens’ defense has been a bit of a rollercoaster this year. But on Sunday? They looked like the legendary units of Baltimore past. Safety Kyle Hamilton set the tone pre-game with a fiery speech, and the rest of the secondary backed it up. They harassed Joe Burrow all afternoon, sacking him four times and forcing him into arguably the worst performance of his career.
This wasn’t just about stopping the run or covering receivers; it was about attitude. The Ravens hit hard, stared down their opponents, and played with a “take-no-prisoners” swagger that has been sorely missed. The cherry on top came in the fourth quarter when Kyle Van Noy snagged an interception and lateralled it to Alohi Gilman for an 84-yard touchdown return. It was the kind of play that makes defensive coordinators weep tears of joy.
Burrow’s Day To Forget
On the flip side, it was a nightmare scenario for Burrow. For the first time in his NFL career, he was shut out. Let that sink in. The guy who usually looks like the coolest person in the room was rattled, inaccurate, and visibly frustrated. He finished the day with 225 yards, zero touchdowns, and two costly interceptions.
The Bengals’ offense looked disjointed from the first snap. Ja’Marr Chase had uncharacteristic drops, the offensive line crumbled under pressure, and the play-calling seemed to lack any real identity. With this loss, Cincinnati falls to 4-10 and is officially eliminated from playoff contention. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had high hopes coming into the season.
Looking Ahead: The AFC North Race
With this victory, the Ravens improved to 7-7 and kept their flickering playoff hopes burning. It’s not going to be easy. They still have tough matchups against the Patriots and Packers looming, but this win proved the Baltimore Ravens still have a pulse.
