NFL Game Recaps of previous weeks and seasons can be found via links at the bottom of the page.
Ravens 34, Bengals 20
Each year, there are a couple of Thursday night games in which we’re all reminded that NFL athletes should not be playing such a high-contact sport on just three days of rest. The Seahawks took part in some long ago, while the Cardinals lost all their key players in a brutal game versus the Packers back in 2020. In the latest version, the Bengals and Ravens both suffered crucial injuries that will impact their ability to make a deep playoff run.
Baltimore’s injury occurred on the opening possession of the game. Mark Andrews caught his second pass, but was twisted awkwardly. He left the game to have X-rays on his hip. The Ravens ended up scoring a touchdown on that drive, but didn’t do anything after that, at least until Cincinnati’s major injury. The Bengals went up 10-7 when Joe Burrow threw a touchdown pass to Joe Mixon, but Burrow yelled in agony as he clutched his wrist. He then tried to throw on the sideline and experienced similar pain. He was quickly ruled out.
With the Bengals unable to do anything with Jake Browning, it seemed as though Cincinnati’s defense gave up. The dispirted unit, which restricted Baltimore to just 30 rushing yards in the opening half, allowed 126 rushing yards following intermission.
Lamar Jackson had a chunk of the second-half rushing yardage, as he ran nine times for 54 yards. He was excellent as a passer, going 16-of-26 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also got hurt in this game when he landed awkwardly, but he didn’t miss any action after being checked out in the medical tent.
The rest of Baltimore’s rushing yardage came via Gus Edwards and Keaton Mitchell. The two backs split nearly an even workload, but Edwards was way more productive. Edwards rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts, while Mitchell gained 33 yards on eight tries.
With Andrews out, Odell Beckham Jr. led the Ravens in receiving with four catches for 116 yards. However, Beckham also got hurt, as he left the game following a 51-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman caught touchdowns of 37 and 10 yards, with both receptions being their only catches of the night. Zay Flowers appeared to score once, but had his touchdown negated by penalty. He had three receptions for 43 yards.
There’s not much to say about the Bengals, who had no hope when Burrow left in a 10-7 game. Burrow was playing well – 11-of-17, 101 yards, one touchdown – but backup Jake Browning did nothing until a garbage-time drive at the end. He went 8-of-14 for 68 yards and a touchdown, but most of his yardage and his score came in a meaningless drive in the final minutes.
Browning’s late touchdown went to Ja’Marr Chase, who caught two passes for 12 yards otherwise. Tanner Hudson led the Bengals in receiving with four grabs for 49 yards, followed by Trenton Irwin (3-36), who dropped a potential reception of about 15 yards.
Mixon, as mentioned, caught Burrow’s lone touchdown. He rushed for 69 yards on 16 carries to go along with five catches for 31 receiving yards and the score.
Steelers xxx, Browns xxx
Bears xxx, Lions xxx
Chargers xxx, Packers xxx
Raiders xxx, Dolphins xxx
Giants xxx, Redskins xxx
Cowboys xxx, Panthers xxx
Titans xxx, Jaguars xxx
Cardinals xxx, Texans xxx
Buccaneers xxx, 49ers xxx
Jets xxx, Bills xxx
Seahawks xxx, Rams xxx
Vikings xxx, Broncos xxx
Eagles xxx, Chiefs xxx