Ravens’ Streak Ends Amid Turnover Misery Against Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens saw their winning streak come to a screeching halt in a disappointing 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during a primetime clash in Week 13. This defeat marked their first setback in over a month, dropping their record to 6-6 and pushing them temporarily out of first place in the fiercely contested AFC North division. After relying on the strength of their defense and special teams in previous games, the Ravens’ offense faltered under the weight of critical mistakes and turnovers.
Turnovers Plague the Ravens
During their impressive five-game winning streak, the Ravens managed to turn the ball over just three times, with all those missteps occurring in a difficult road victory against the Cleveland Browns. However, against the Bengals, the offense experienced a catastrophic collapse, committing a staggering five turnovers—four fumbles and one interception. Each turnover proved costly, denying the Ravens valuable scoring opportunities and ultimately contributing to their downfall.
One particularly painful moment came when tight end Isaiah Likely, poised to score what would have been a crucial touchdown, fumbled the ball just inches from the goal line. Instead of a highlight-reel play, the ball bounced out of bounds, resulting in a touchback that handed possession back to Cincinnati. Capitalizing on this gift, the Bengals quickly put points on the board and extended their lead just before halftime following another fumble from Baltimore, which provided them with a short field.
With the game still within reach and the Ravens threatening to narrow the gap early in the fourth quarter, disaster struck again. A tipped pass at the line of scrimmage led to an interception, halting what could have been a momentum-shifting drive. The final turnover of the night came from Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers, snuffing out any remaining hope for a dramatic comeback and underscoring the frustrations the Ravens have faced in previous seasons.
Ravens’ Decision on Lamar Jackson Questioned
As the Ravens faced these mounting challenges, questions arose regarding their management of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s return from injury. The decision to bring him back into the fold may have been premature, given the team’s struggles in this pivotal matchup. The combination of Jackson’s need for an effective offensive line and the team’s inability to protect the ball not only hindered their performance but also raised concerns about their ability to compete moving forward.
In the aftermath of this disheartening loss, Baltimore must regroup and address the glaring issues that led to their collapse against Cincinnati. The road ahead will demand resilience and focus as they seek to reclaim their footing in a tightly contested playoff race.
