NFL
NFL Wild Card: What happened in the last regular season game between Ravens and Bengals?
To avoid having to flip a coin to decide where to play their playoff game, the Bengals defeated the Ravens on Sunday.
The Bengals jumped out to an early lead but then struggled to score in the second half, ultimately losing to the Ravens, a divisional foe, but still finishing the season 8-0.
What do they get for their trouble? Playoffs home game vs the Ravens.
Four Ravens mistakes helped the Bengals to a 27-16 victory on Sunday, which Joe Burrow passed for, and Joe Mixon ran for
Two-time AFC North champions and reigning AFC champions, the Bengals (12-4) returned to the field where Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had heart problems just a few days ago. Their game versus the Bills had to be postponed and canceled because of the terrifying incident.
To avoid having to flip a coin to decide where to play their playoff game, the Bengals defeated the Ravens on Sunday.
The NFL owners agreed to the coin toss because the Ravens would have had a better chance of winning the division if the game hadn’t been canceled. To force a coin flip, Baltimore needed to win and have Denver defeat the Los Angeles Chargers later that Sunday. As a sign of their displeasure, the Bengals celebrated Mixon’s touchdown with a pretend coin toss, as if to poke fun at the new regulation.
Since Buffalo defeated New England, Cincinnati can no longer hope to earn the AFC’s No. 2 spot.
Despite having a rough second half, Burrow completed 25 of 42 passes for 215 yards and a score
“Certainly, certain things that we can clean up, that we can do better, especially on offense,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “But I’m really happy of the manner that these guys found a way to win in January. These players have a lot of confidence right now heading into the playoffs we ended the second half of the season 8-0, the proper way.”
The Baltimore Ravens (10-7) put up a valiant effort behind third-string quarterback Anthony Brown, who made his season debut and has thrown only five passes. However, head coach John Harbaugh made sure that the Bengals would see a little different Ravens squad when sixth-seeded Baltimore returned to Paycor Stadium on Sunday night rather than going all out for the minuscule possibility of securing a home playoff game.
The Baltimore Ravens were without their two starting quarterbacks. After suffering a knee injury on December 4 against the Broncos, Lamar Jackson has not returned to practice, and his availability for the postseason is uncertain. Tyler Huntley, the team’s backup quarterback, has been banged up as well and did not play on Sunday. Two of the Ravens’ top offensive players, Mark Andrews and J.K. Dobbins, were also given the day off.
Linebacker Roquan Smith of the Ravens commented, “I’m looking forward to next week and seeing these guys again. It’s going to be for the grand prize. My perspective hasn’t changed at all. I can’t wait to go back onto the field next week.”
Brown was intercepted twice in the first half, and Cincinnati scored once more after he lost possession of the ball in the end zone after being sacked
Moreover, Brown completed 19 of 44 passes for 286 yards in his first NFL start. Ravens’ Kenyan Drake ran 4 yards for a touchdown before halftime. Justin Tucker kicked three field goals.
After a quick field goal by the Bengals, Baltimore’s first play from scrimmage resulted in a pick by Cincinnati safety Jessie Bates III on a deep ball from Brown. Mixon’s 1-yard plunge finished a 7-for-11 Burrow drive.
When Baltimore went to pass on their following drive, cornerback Mike Hilton intercepted Brown and gave the ball to the Bengals at the Baltimore 30. Burrow completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase within the next three plays.