Ravens Push Steelers for First Place with Thrilling Win Over Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens eked out a 41-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, improving to 3-2 after an 0-2 start to the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) will need to beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night to stay alone in first place in the AFC North.
With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 1-4 and are in the basement of the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland got destroyed by the Washington Commanders, 34-13, on Sunday. The Browns have lost three straight.
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase scored on a 70-yard catch-and-run touchdown to increase Cincinnati’s lead to 38-28 with 8:54 remaining, but Baltimore stormed back and scored 10 unanswered points to send the game to overtime. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had a ridiculous 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely to bring Baltimore within three points. Justin Tucker followed with a 56-yard field goal to tie the game at 38-38.
In overtime, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson’s 53-yard field goal attempt went wide left, which gave the Ravens life after an aborted fumble on the opening possession of OT. On the play following McPherson’s miss, running back Derrick Henry ripped off a 51-yard run to set up Justin Tucker for a 24-yard game-winning field goal.
Jackson had a banner day, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 50 yards. Henry had 92 yards and a touchdown, while Zay Flowers had seven catches for 111 yards. The Ravens offense is humming right now, averaging 34.6 points per game in the last three games.
Chase went off with 10 receptions for 193 yards (19.3 average) and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins also had solid outing with nine receptions for 83 yards (9.2 average) and two touchdowns. Joe Burrow completed 76.2% of his passes for 392 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 137.0.
The Bengals can score points, but their defense has been horrendous this year, allowing 29 points per game. The Bengals have lost close games to the Kansas City Chiefs, Commanders and Ravens. They’re probably better than what their 1-4 record indicates. The same can’t be said for the Browns.
Unlike Burrow, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to struggle. He had a brutal afternoon against Washington, completing 15 of 28 passes (53.6%) for 125 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 77.2. The Commanders’ defense was all over Watson, forcing a fumble, sacking him seven times and allowing a total of 212 yards.
Cleveland was 1 of 13 on third downs. Watson has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season.
Terry McLaurin led the Commanders with four receptions for 125 yards (28.0 average). Rookie Jayden Daniels completed 14 of 25 passes (56.0%) for 238 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 85.1. He also rushed for 82 yards on 11 carries (7.5 average).
The Steelers play the Raiders in Las Vegas next Sunday. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. The Ravens host the 4-1 Commanders, while the Browns face the Eagles in Philadelphia. Both games are at 1 p.m. The Bengals travel to North Jersey to face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.
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