After the Bengals week 17 game against the Bills was declared a no contest, they needed to beat the Ravens in week 18 to guarantee a home field playoff game, despite already being named AFC Champions. The Ravens were beaten up with some injuries, while a few other starters were being rested. It was one the Bengals were expected to win.
The Bengals opened the scoring with a field goal on their first drive. Then, after a Jessie Bates interception, they were set up with good field position to score again. Boyd got things going with a 22 yard catch that moved the chains on 3rd & 10. After a few more modest gains, and then a 12 yard completion to Boyd, the Bengals were able to find the endzone via a Joe Mixon run from a yard out. 10-0 Bengals
Cincinnati benefitted from another Baltimore turnover on the next drive. This time, it was Mike Hilton who was able to set the Bengals up in opponent territory. Burrow missed Higgins wide open down the left sideline on 2nd down, but found Chase in the same spot on the very next play. This one went for 26 yards, and made the score 17-0 for the Bengals.
A little while later, the Ravens would get on the board. A roughing the passer call on Trey Hendrickson extended the drive early on. On the next play, Brown found Isaiah Likely for a 28 yard gain. As the drive continued, the downfield passes also did. Kolar caught one for 15 yards, and then Brown found Likely again, this time for 12 yards. On 2nd & goal, Drake punched it in from 4 yards out to cut into the Bengals lead. 17-7.
With the 1st half coming to an end, the Bengals weren’t finished. They had the Ravens backed up deep in their own end, and Trey Hendrickson was able to get to the QB and strip the ball. Joseph Ossai pounced on it in the endzone to give the Bengals a 24-7 lead, which is how it remained at the half.
Both offences started slow to begin the second half, each punting on their opening drive. Things then got worse for the Bengals. On their next drive, Joe Burrow was strip sacked, and Ojabo of the Ravens recovered the ball at the Cincinnati 9. Luckily, the Bengals were able to hold them to just a field goal. 24-10 Bengals.
The Bengals answered with a field goal of their own. A 33 yard catch and run by Mixon got things going, and a 20 yard reception by Chase got them deep into Ravens territory. The drive ended up stalling out inside the 10 yard line, and McPherson came on for the chip shot. 27-10.
Baltimore added a couple more field goals, and in the 4th quarter, neither team was able to get much going. 27-16 final.
With the win, the Bengals finish the regular season with a 12-4 record, and take home the AFC North title for a second straight year. Playoff seeding has been determined, with the Bengals finishing 3rd in the AFC.
They will meet the Ravens again next week in Cincinnati for the Wild Card round. This win was clunky for the Bengals, especially given the Ravens were without many of their starters. Though in fairness, it is likely that the Bengals didn’t open up the playbook very much, in anticipation of next week’s matchup. It is unknown if Lamar Jackson will return next week, but the Ravens are set to have at least a few bodies back in time. The division rivals will square off on Sunday night.
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