The Baltimore Ravens (6-5) are back on top of the AFC North after picking up a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1). Baltimore is now 4-0 against division rivals this season.
Ravens kicker submitted his bid for being the Ravens’ MVP this season, nailing all four of his attempted field goals. Tucker tied an NFL record by kicking three field goals of 50 yards or longer in a single game. He is the lone kicker in the NFL who has not missed a field goal or extra point in 2016, making 34 straight field goals.
“If they have to drag me off, that’s fine,” Tucker said. “I feel like that attitude permeates through our locker room. That is the Raven way. If you want to win, you want the ball in your hands or in my case, at your feet. If I didn’t think that way, I’d be doing a disservice to everyone in this building.”
Joe Flacco orchestrated an impressive 11-play, 75-yard opening drive, capping it off with a 14-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to wide receiver Breshad Perriman, which was Perriman’s lone catch of the day. Flacco finished the day completing 25 paases for 234 yards and a score.
Terrell Suggs dismantled Cincinnati’s offensive line, recording two strip-sacks on a seemingly helpless Andy Dalton. Although, Suggs is 34 years old, he is still one of the best linebackers in the league.
Elvis Dumervil, who has been M.I.A. for the majority of the season due to injury, roared back today with a tackle, a sack, and a forced fumble of his own, proving when he is healthy, he can do some damage. His turnover ended up sealing the victory for Baltimore.
Without starting running back Gio Bernard and starting wide receiver A.J. Green, the Bengals’ offense was unable to get into sync in this game. Cincinnati converted on third down only five times out of 16 attempts in this game.
Near the end of the game, Baltimore’s defensive line channeled their inner J.J. Watt, batting away almosts all of Dalton’s passes while the Bengals were deep in Raven territory.
This game ended in one of the most bizarre ways possible, as Baltimore committed about eight penalties in one play in order to give up a game-winning safety. These penalties were designed to run off the rest of the clock, preventing any possibility of a last second comeback by Cincinnati.
The Ravens will remain in Maryland next week and will take on the Miami Dolphins, who on currently on a six-game winning streak, on Sunday, Dec. 4.
