Sports
Cincinnati scores 35 unanswered points to defeat Baltimore after halftime deficit
The Ravens led the Bengals 13-0 at halftime Sunday in Baltimore, then surrendered 35 straight points in a 35-13 loss. The defeat left Baltimore 4-3 overall and winless in its division.
BALTIMORE — The Ravens’ 13-point halftime lead disappeared Sunday as the Cincinnati Bengals scored 35 unanswered points to win 35-13 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore, playing its third straight game without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson, fell to 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the division. The Bengals took control after the break, scoring on five consecutive possessions while the Ravens’ offense stalled.
The Ravens struck quickly. On their opening drive, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley found Zay Flowers on a short pass, and Flowers ran 48 yards for a touchdown just 84 seconds into the game. Baltimore’s defense then stopped Cincinnati on third-and-1 when safety Kyle Hamilton tackled a Bengals runner for a loss. Two field goals gave the Ravens their 13-0 halftime advantage.
Cincinnati answered in the second half. Joe Burrow connected with Mike Gesicki for a 6-yard touchdown, then threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Tee Higgins to put the Bengals ahead 14-13 late in the third quarter.
Baltimore drove into the red zone on its next possession but failed on fourth-and-2. Huntley’s pass was tipped, turning the ball over to Cincinnati. The Bengals moved 88 yards on the ensuing drive, capped by Samaje Perine’s 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Burrow later threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase. Huntley was intercepted on Baltimore’s next drive after another tipped pass, and Cincinnati added a final touchdown on Drew Sample’s 16-yard reception.
Ravens coach Jesse Minter said the team had shown both its potential and its inconsistency, and acknowledged that the second-half deficit snowballed. He said Baltimore needs to stay more even-keeled and support one another when momentum shifts.
Running back Derrick Henry called the offensive performance “just not good enough at all,” saying the unit started well and then faded. He said the team needed to execute its plays.
The loss came in the first of three games Baltimore will play over 12 days. The Ravens are scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills next, then return home to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. Baltimore is hoping Jackson can return from an ankle injury for the Buffalo game as it tries to address a pattern that has contributed to all three of its losses this season.