The Good, Bad and Ugly: Bengals Dominate Ravens 41-17 in AFC North Showdown
The Cincinnati Bengals dominated the Baltimore Ravens 41-17 in a decisive AFC North matchup, taking sole possession of first place with a 5-2 record. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of their most complete game this season:
The Good:
- Joe Burrow delivered an outstanding performance with 416 passing yards and 3 touchdowns
- Ja'Marr Chase recorded 8 receptions for 201 yards, including an electrifying 82-yard touchdown
- Bengals defense contained Lamar Jackson, recording 5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss
- Ravens held to just 17 points and 115 rushing yards
The Bad:
- Lamar Jackson struggled, completing less than 50% of passes (15/31)
- Jackson's QBR was just 46.8 compared to Burrow's 79.7
- Despite 88 rushing yards on 12 carries, Jackson's passing game lacked rhythm
The Ugly:
- Ravens defense surrendered over 500 total yards (416 passing, 111 rushing)
- Poor tackling allowed multiple broken plays, especially on Chase's 76-yard touchdown
- Baltimore's pass coverage left receivers consistently open
Next Games:
- Bengals: at New York Jets (1-5), Sunday 1 PM EST on CBS
- Ravens: BYE week, then vs Minnesota Vikings (3-3) at home
This victory establishes the Bengals as serious contenders in the AFC North and demonstrates their ability to execute on both sides of the ball against quality opponents.