Jackson sparks rally as Ravens stop 2-point conversion to edge Bengals 35-34.
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| Burrow frustrated by late no-call: "I've never really gotten those calls" – Bengals QB reacts to crucial 2-point attempt, after taking what seemed like a shot to the face. |
Jackson Leads Ravens' Rally, Stops Bengals' 2-Point Attempt to Win 35-34
BALTIMORE — Facing their largest deficit in three years, Lamar Jackson orchestrated a stunning comeback for the Ravens with a brilliant display of playmaking.
On one key scramble, Jackson evaded a 20-yard loss by dancing along the sideline, turning it into a 10-yard gain. On the game-winning touchdown pass, he left his feet in mid-air, delivering a perfectly placed throw to Rashod Bateman in the end zone—his follow-through almost resembling a basketball player’s shot.
Jackson threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes, and the Ravens held on late, stopping the Bengals' 2-point conversion attempt with 38 seconds remaining to edge Cincinnati 35-34 on Thursday night. The Ravens fought back from a 21-7 deficit in the third quarter, overcoming a historic performance from Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who racked up 264 yards and three touchdowns.
“It starts with Lamar, and oftentimes it ends with Lamar,” said Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh. “But in between Lamar and Lamar, there are a lot of great players around him. That’s where our offense is right now.”
The Ravens exploded for 231 of their 389 total yards in the fourth quarter alone.
Chase was a force, finishing with 11 catches for 264 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown in the final minute that brought Cincinnati (4-6) within one point. With the game on the line, the Bengals opted to go for a 2-point conversion, but Joe Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson sailed high, and the Ravens hung on for the victory.
“We had our opportunity,” said Bengals coach Zac Taylor. “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 was the largest for Baltimore (7-3) since the 2022 season finale at Cincinnati, a game Jackson missed due to injury. The last time the Ravens trailed by 14 with Jackson on the field was exactly three years ago, on Nov. 7, 2021, when they rallied from a 24-10 deficit to defeat Minnesota 34-31.
Cincinnati had the ball with a 14-point lead in the third quarter, but a fumble by Chase Brown gave the Ravens a short field. Jackson then delivered a remarkable 29-yard scramble, dodging multiple rushers to set up Derrick Henry’s 1-yard touchdown run.
"Just trying to make something happen. That's all that was," Jackson said. "I was going to throw the ball away, but when I turned I had room.”
In the fourth quarter, Tylan Wallace turned a short pass into an 84-yard touchdown, narrowly staying inbounds as Cincinnati defenders failed to make a stop. Though Justin Tucker missed the extra point, the Ravens were within one.
Cincinnati drove into Ravens territory but couldn't convert on third-and-2 and fourth-and-2, as Burrow's passes fell incomplete both times. Jackson then gave Baltimore the lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews, and followed it up with a 2-point conversion run of his own.
Chase responded with a 70-yard touchdown to tie the game at 28, but Jackson answered with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bateman with 1:49 left, putting the Ravens ahead 35-28.
Jackson threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Burrow threw for 428 yards and four TDs.
The Ravens lost All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to an ankle injury late in the first half.
Cincinnati scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Chase Brown on the game’s opening drive. Baltimore thought they had stopped the Bengals on fourth down near the goal line, but a holding penalty on cornerback Brandon Stephens gave Cincinnati a fresh set of downs.
Jackson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor in the second quarter, but the Bengals took the lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tanner Hudson shortly after Hamilton's injury.
The Ravens pushed back into midfield late in the half, but without any remaining timeouts, the clock ran out on their drive.
Burrow connected with Chase for a 67-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to put the Bengals up 21-7.
Chase’s 457 yards receiving in two games against Baltimore this season set an NFL record for most yards by a player against a single team in one season.
"Honestly, it's just two great football teams going at it," said Chase. "Every time we play Baltimore, it’s a dogfight, and the game is always close to the end."
Ravens' Rushing Streak Snapped
Jackson's kneel-down on the final play of the game dropped the Ravens' rushing total to 99 yards, ending their streak of 42 straight games with 100 or more rushing yards, just one shy of the NFL record.
Injury Updates
The Bengals were without receiver Tee Higgins, who was out with a quad injury. Harbaugh provided a positive update on Hamilton’s condition, saying he has a sprained ankle but that the injury is not too serious.
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