The Ravens essentially have no margin for error to make the playoffs.
However, the injuries and challenges with COVID-19 could be difficult to overcome over the final two games.
The Bengals scored on all but two of their possessions and put a serious damper on Baltimore’s postseason hopes with a dominant 41-21 victory in Week 16.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for a franchise-record 525 yards and four touchdowns. He was also throwing deep in the final minutes with a 20-point lead.
“Why not? Over these past few years, people have been doing that to us,” Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon said. “It’s a great feeling that roles are reversed.”
The Ravens fell to 8-7 and have their second four-game losing streak under John Harbaugh.
The Bengals improved to 9-6 and took over sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
”I thought our guys did the best they could under the circumstances,” Harbaugh said. “That’s all you can ask for. Outcomes, they’re meaningful and they matter. But it’s not a one-game season. We’ll keep fighting.”
The Ravens were playing without both Lamar Jackson (ankle) and Tyler Huntley (COVID-19) both sidelined. As a result, Josh Johnson, who was signed less than two weeks ago, had to make his first start in three years and did a solid job running the offense. Johnson was 28 of 40 for 305 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Ravens’ injury-riddled secondary could not contain the Bengals, who had two wide receivers with 100 yards receiving — Tee Higgins (194, 2 touchdowns) and Ja’Marr Chase (125 yards)
The Ravens were left further shorthanded when cornerback Anthony Averett left with a rib injury.
#Ravens just can't catch a break.
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 26, 2021
Cincinnati outgained Baltimore 574-334 and held the ball for 37:03 compared to 22:57 for the Ravens.
“Try and pick it off.” Ravens safety Tony Jefferson said about the Bengals throwing the ball late in the game. “I really don’t honestly care what they’re calling on the other side. If they’re throwing it in the air, that’s an opportunity for us on defense to get a turnover. So, I don’t care what the score is or what time was left. They’re going to do what they do on their side, we’re going to do what we do on our side – and that is defend the ball.”
One bright spot for the Ravens was tight end Mark Andrews, who caught eight passes for 125 yards. Andrews has amassed five games with 100 or more yards receiving this season.
Rashod Bateman scored his first career touchdown and gave the Ravens a 7-3 lead on a 4-yard pass from Johnson.
However, that was the Ravens’ only lead as the Bengals pulled away.
Cincinnati took a 17-7 lead on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tyler Boyd early in the second quarter. The rout was on when Mixon caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Burrow boosting the margin 24-7.
The Ravens managed to pull within 24-14 on a 2-yard scoring run by Devonta Freeman.
However, the Ravens’ secondary fell apart and allowed the Bengals to score again in the final minute of the first half and Cincinnati was never threatened the rest of the way.
The Ravens will have to win their final two games against the Rams and Steelers to have any chance at the playoffs. Even if they win those games, the Ravens could need some help to make the postseason.
“We still got to win two games to get in [the playoffs], and we have two more at home,” linebacker Josh Bynes said. “So, we’re in a perfect scenario to get in. All that matters is getting into the playoffs. We know that eight years ago when we went to the playoffs, we stumbled in, we lost four out of our last five [games]. But once we got in, we got rolling. And that’s all that matters is just getting in the playoffs, and it starts next week. We have to win these next two starting with the Rams.”
