In what most likely shouldn’t be a shock contemplating this was an essential AFC North conflict, accidents will garner a whole lot of consideration from this one, however make no mistake about it — the Ravens wished this win badly, and so they went out and took it.
Let’s get to the grades.
Offense
General: B+
The Ravens put up greater than 400 yards of offense, didn’t flip the ball over, went 3-4 within the crimson zone and scored 34 factors in opposition to a battle-tested Bengals protection. After a terrific opening drive that resulted in a landing, issues went stale for a bit and it appeared just like the offensive line was getting overwhelmed for a second week in a row. However they turned it round, made some massive performs, ran the ball nicely within the second half and did their factor.
Quarterback: A
Lamar Jackson was undoubtedly impacted by his harm, however he gutted via it, continued to run when he needed to and made some massive performs together with his arm. He was 16-26 for 264 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for an additional 54 yards. He simply missed on a pair deep balls early, however threw an ideal ball to Odell Beckham Jr. within the fourth quarter, and was electrical together with his scramble-and-throw to Rashod Bateman for a landing. He acquired a bit fortunate with the tipped go that went to Nelson Agholor for a landing, however he acquired robbed on the landing to Zay Flowers being known as again.
Operating Backs: A
It didn’t begin out nice, because the backs weren’t discovering a lot room to run, however issues did flip round, and Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell each made massive performs. Edwards powered in for 2 extra touchdowns, caught a pair of passes and broke a 26-yarder to begin the second half for the Ravens’ offense. Mitchell busted free for an exciting 21-yarder and ended up with 33 yards on eight carries, and one other eight yards on one catch. His downfield blocking was great on the Flowers TD-that-wasn’t. Bear in mind how the Ravens couldn’t end final week? The backs did a number of the heavy lifting tonight.
Receivers: A-
The season-ending harm to Mark Andrews is sobering, however there was good things on the market from his teammates. Odell Beckham Jr. confirmed he nonetheless loves the brilliant lights, with 116 yards on 4 catches, and he displayed some severe wiggle after the catch. His holding penalty was a ridiculous name. Flowers was his typical lightning-quick self, producing 43 yards off three catches and he had a rush for seven yards. He ought to have had a 68-yard landing, however learn above for what occurred there. Nelson Agholor had one catch, but it surely was a doozy — a deflected 37-yard catch-and-run that displayed terrific reflexes. Charlie Kolar did a pleasant job discovering a spot within the zone and getting a 13-yard catch on his goal. Bateman labored onerous to shake free for his landing catch, and practically caught a bomb early, however for an excellent defensive play. The brand new Ravens playmakers confirmed they will make issues occur. It’s been some time since we’ve seen that round these elements.
Offensive Line: B
There have been instances when this unit appeared utterly overwhelmed, notably within the first half. Patrick Mekari was being owned by Trey Hendrickson, and the operating backs had nowhere to go. However they did enhance as the sport went on, and Tyler Linderbaum and Kevin Zeitler each stood out to me. Morgan Moses had just a few good pulls, particularly on Edwards’ first landing run. Simpson had two holding calls, and Mekari picked up a flag for a false begin. The Ravens completed with 157 yards on 31 carries. The road had rather a lot to do with that within the second half.
Protection
General: B+
Look, Joe Burrow being injured skews issues. He’s top-of-the-line within the recreation, and aggravated his harm on a landing go to offer the Bengals a 10-7 lead. They usually did wrestle to manage Joe Mixon for giant elements of the sport. However they did maintain the Bengals to 272 yards of offense, had 5 sacks and Cincy went simply 2-11 on third down. There have been some missed tackles for a second straight week that’s bordering on regarding, and, once more, too many massive operating lanes. However they stepped up in high-leverage conditions and once more destroyed drives with sacks.
Defensive Line: C+
They should take the vast majority of the warmth for the run protection woes, however additionally they had their moments. Odafe Oweh was a continuing presence within the Bengals backfield, and acquired his sack within the fourth quarter. Justin Madubuike had one more sack, and Tavius Robinson and Jadeveon Clowney additionally acquired within the act. Robinson practically had one other one within the fourth quarter, as nicely. Brent City stood out with three tackles, together with one play the place he sniffed out a display screen go early, reacted and made a sort out on the sideline. Michael Pierce was quiet.
Linebackers: B+
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen had been energetic, and notched 21 tackles between them. Smith did get beat by Mixon on a brief go for an early landing, however he was actually good total. Patrick Queen had an enormous run stuff within the fourth quarter, and one other late within the first half. However he acquired beat on just a few passes, and acquired bulled by Mixon for some further yards on the Bengals’ first possession. Kyle Van Noy acquired a sack late within the recreation, and practically had one other within the third quarter. Malik Harrison blew up a run early within the recreation.
Defensive Backs: A-
Rock Ya-Sin had a troublesome one, getting beat by Tyler Boyd for a primary down catch within the second quarter, and he had a giant pass-interference penalty to assist arrange the Bengals for a area objective their first drive of the second half. However the remainder of the backfield was fairly darned good. Marcus Williams made a spectacular diving go break-up to finish the Bengals’ opening drive, and was in on one other incompletion late within the quarter. Kyle Hamilton broke up two passes, and compelled one other together with his pass-rush within the first quarter. Brandon Stephens was sticky in protection all day, although he was beat on a garbage-time landing late on a well-thrown back-shoulder toss. Ronald Darby stood out twice to me — as soon as on a pbu on a deep go early int he second half, after which one other play later within the quarter when he pushed Ja’Marr Chase out of bounds earlier than he might come down with a deep ball. Jalyn Armour-Davis mad a pleasant open-field sort out to forestall a primary down within the fourth quarter.
Particular Groups: B
Justin Tucker was excellent, connecting on each of his area targets and all 4 further factors. Jordan stout was strong, however he had one touchback late I’m positive he’d prefer to attempt once more. Giving up a 24-yard punt return to Charlie Jones, after which sprinkling in one other 15 yards on a penalty on Justice Hill was… what’s the other of “Pleasant?”
Teaching: A
The Ravens had a brief turnaround after a heart-breaking loss, in opposition to the crew who has gained its division the final two years. The crew confirmed up, and the coaches deserve a whole lot of credit score. The offense took some deep photographs, which is the correct alternative in opposition to the Bengals, and so they figured the way to seal the sport with the run after not having the ability to do it just a few days in the past. The Ravens appeared to surrender some floor within the run recreation on protection, with an emphasis on go protection. Even when Burrow did hit receivers early, they had been often tightly lined. It felt like a well-called recreation that made sense on each side.
