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Jackson leads the rally as the Ravens stop a 2-point conversion attempt, securing a 35-34 victory over the Bengals

Posted on by Goldteelic
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08
Nov
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BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson faced his largest deficit in three years, but he orchestrated a remarkable comeback, delivering a performance that showcased his resilience and skill. On one play, Jackson evaded a potential 20-yard loss, turning it into a 10-yard gain as he danced along the sideline. He then threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, leaping off the ground and releasing a flick of the wrist that seemed almost reminiscent of a basketball player’s technique.

Jackson threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including the decisive throw to Bateman, and the Ravens managed to stop Cincinnati on a crucial 2-point conversion attempt with 38 seconds remaining to secure a thrilling 35-34 win on Thursday night. The victory was especially sweet as Baltimore rallied from a 21-7 deficit in the third quarter, overcoming not only the Bengals’ offensive firepower but also a stellar performance by Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh praised Jackson’s leadership but also acknowledged the contribution of his teammates: “It starts with Lamar, and oftentimes it ends with Lamar,” Harbaugh said. “But in between Lamar and Lamar, there are a lot of great players surrounding him. I think that’s where our offense is at right now.” Indeed, the Ravens managed to rack up 231 of their total 389 yards in the explosive fourth quarter alone.

Chase, who was a standout performer for the Bengals, finished the game with 11 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns. His performance included a 5-yard touchdown catch in the final minute that brought Cincinnati to within one point. Faced with the choice to either attempt an extra point to tie the game or go for a 2-point conversion to take the lead, the Bengals chose the latter. Unfortunately for them, Joe Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson sailed high, and the Ravens held on for the win.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reflected on the missed opportunity, saying, “We had our opportunity. We got down there, went for two, and it just didn’t work out for us. This team is going to continue to put us in good positions, and there’s going to be a point in the season where that turns.”

The 14-point deficit Baltimore faced was the largest since the final game of the 2022 season when the Ravens played the Bengals in Cincinnati, a game Jackson missed due to injury. The last time Baltimore trailed by 14 with Jackson on the field was exactly three years earlier, on November 7, 2021, when the Ravens overcame a 24-10 deficit to beat Minnesota 34-31.

In a key moment in the third quarter, Cincinnati had possession with a 14-point lead. However, a fumble by running back Chase Brown handed the Ravens a short field, and Jackson’s remarkable sideline scramble helped set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry. Jackson, retreating from the 11-yard line, ran all the way back to the 30-yard line, outpacing a couple of defenders before turning upfield and managing to stay inbounds as he sprinted to the 1-yard line.

“Just trying to make something happen. That’s all that was,” Jackson explained. “I was going to throw it away, but when I turned around, I saw room to run.”

The fourth quarter saw an incredible offensive surge from the Ravens. Tylan Wallace caught a short pass and turned it into an 84-yard touchdown, staying barely inbounds despite a couple of Cincinnati defenders closing in. Although Justin Tucker missed the extra point, the Ravens were now within one point of the Bengals.

Cincinnati mounted a drive to try to retake the lead but was stymied by the Ravens’ defense. On both third-and-2 and fourth-and-2, Burrow threw incomplete passes deep downfield, giving the Ravens the opportunity to take the lead. Jackson responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews, and then Jackson ran for a 2-point conversion himself, putting the Ravens ahead.

Chase, however, wasn’t done. He caught a deep 70-yard touchdown pass from Burrow, tying the game at 28 with 5:37 remaining. But once again, Jackson responded, this time with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bateman with just 1:49 left on the clock, giving Baltimore a 35-28 lead.

Jackson finished the game with 290 passing yards and four touchdowns. Burrow, on the other hand, threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Jackson’s late-game heroics.

The Ravens also lost All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to an ankle injury late in the first half. His absence was felt, but Baltimore’s defense continued to hold firm in critical moments.

Cincinnati’s early momentum came on the game’s first drive, a 1-yard touchdown run by Chase Brown. The Ravens thought they had stopped the Bengals on a fourth-and-goal, but a holding penalty on cornerback Brandon Stephens gave Cincinnati another shot at the end zone.

Jackson did manage to get the Ravens on the board in the second quarter, throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor. However, the Bengals regained the lead shortly thereafter with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tanner Hudson, which came soon after Hamilton’s injury. Baltimore made a late push in the first half, but with no timeouts left, they couldn’t score before the clock expired.

The Bengals struck again in the third quarter with a 67-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Chase. Despite these offensive fireworks, the Ravens found a way to answer, leading to the exciting finish.

Chase’s total of 457 receiving yards across two games against the Ravens this season set an NFL record for most yards by a player against a single team in one season.

“Honestly, man, it’s just two great football teams going at it,” Chase said after the game. “Every time we play Baltimore, it’s a dog fight, and the game’s always close to the end.”

Jackson’s final kneel-down on the last play of the game knocked the Ravens back to 99 yards rushing, ending their streak of 42 consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards, just one shy of the NFL record.

Injury updates: The Bengals were without wide receiver Tee Higgins, who missed the game due to a quad injury. For the Ravens, Harbaugh stated that Hamilton suffered a sprained ankle, but it didn’t appear to be a serious injury.

Next up:

  • The Bengals will travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers on November 17.
  • The Ravens will head to Pittsburgh for a matchup with the Steelers on November 17.
Goldteelic

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