Ravens shut out Bengals, 24-0

The Baltimore Ravens sent a clear message: their push for a third straight AFC North title is far from over.

Baltimore snapped a two-game skid with its most complete performance of the season, shutting out the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 on Sunday. Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes, the defense harassed Joe Burrow all afternoon, and a fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown sealed a dominant road victory.

The Ravens improved to 7-7, won their fourth straight game away from home and pulled within a half-game of Pittsburgh atop the division. Baltimore also avenged a lopsided loss to Cincinnati on Thanksgiving night.

Jackson connected on first-half touchdown passes to Rasheen Ali and Zay Flowers and finished 8 of 12 for 150 yards. Derrick Henry powered the ground game with 100 yards on just 11 carries, marking his sixth 100-yard rushing performance of the season.

Despite possessing the ball for only 20:41, the Ravens made the most of their opportunities, scoring on three consecutive drives spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third.

Baltimore’s defense was just as sharp. The Ravens sacked Burrow three times, forced two interceptions and kept Cincinnati off the scoreboard for the first time in Burrow’s six-year career. It marked the fourth time Baltimore has shut out the Bengals and Cincinnati’s first shutout since the 2017 season opener.

Cincinnati fell to 4-10 and was officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Bengals moved the ball into Baltimore territory four times but came away empty on every trip. Burrow completed 25 of 39 passes for 225 yards, but struggled under pressure and threw two interceptions. Ja’Marr Chase caught 10 passes for 132 yards.

The decisive moment came midway through the fourth quarter. Facing third-and-goal from the seven-yard line, Burrow tried to escape pressure but was intercepted by Kyle Van Noy at the five-yard line. Van Noy lateraled to Alohi Gilman, who sprinted 84 yards down the right sideline for the first defensive touchdown of his career, pushing the lead to 24-0 and putting the game away.

Baltimore seized control just before halftime with a rapid scoring drive. With 23 seconds left in the second quarter, Jackson fired a 28-yard touchdown pass to Flowers in the back corner of the end zone, capping an 80-yard drive that took only 42 seconds and giving the Ravens a commanding 14-0 lead at the break.

Injuries

Ravens: LB Teddye Buchanan left in the first half with a knee injury. CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot) and CB Marlon Humphrey (knee) were injured in the second half; Humphrey returned.

Bengals: WR Charlie Jones exited in the second quarter with a right ankle injury. TE Noah Fant (right ankle), DT Kris Jenkins Jr. (left ankle) and RT Amarius Mims (right knee) were injured in the second half and did not return.

Up Next

*Ravens: Host New England next Sunday night.

Bengals: Visit Miami next Sunday.*