BALTIMORE — It was two completely different football games rolled into one Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals looked completely overmatched in the first half against Baltimore, then came out of the locker room and dominated the Ravens on their way to a stunning 35-13 victory.
Cincinnati trailed 13-0 at halftime after an offensive performance that could hardly have been worse. Joe Burrow completed just six of 12 passes for 43 yards, the Bengals managed only 59 total yards, and Baltimore controlled the clock with two lengthy second-quarter scoring drives.
The Ravens opened the game with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Huntley to Zay Flowers, then added field goals of 34 and 24 yards from Tyler Loop. Even without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson, Baltimore seemed to have complete control of the game.
But Cincinnati emerged from halftime looking like an entirely different team. The Bengals opened the second half with a nine-play, 66-yard touchdown drive, capped by Burrow's 6-yard pass to Mike Gesicki.
After Cincinnati's defense forced a three-and-out, Burrow led another scoring drive, finding Tee Higgins for a 13-yard touchdown to give the Bengals a 14-13 lead with 4:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Baltimore threatened to regain the lead on its next possession, moving to Cincinnati's 12-yard line. But the Bengals stopped Huntley on fourth-and-2, giving Burrow another opportunity.
He responded by directing an 88-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 44-yard completion to Higgins. Samaje Perine finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-13.
After another Baltimore punt, Burrow connected with Ja'Marr Chase for 30 yards in which Chase went around and underneath a defender, and later connected with Higgins for 43 more, setting up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chase that pushed the lead to 28-13.
The Ravens' next offensive play ended with a Demetrius Knight Jr. interception, giving Cincinnati the ball at Baltimore's 24-yard line. Three plays later, Burrow found Drew Sample for a 16-yard touchdown, completing an astonishing 35-point second half.
Burrow was nearly perfect after halftime, completing 16 of 18 passes for 249 yards and four touchdowns. Higgins, who had been held without a catch in the first half, became a major factor in the comeback, including receptions of 44 and 43 yards in the fourth quarter. Both Higgins and Chase finished with 105 yards apiece.
Just as impressive was Cincinnati's defensive turnaround. Baltimore had dominated possession before halftime, but the Bengals shut out the Ravens over the final 30 minutes, recorded multiple sacks, and produced the interception that helped put the game away.
The victory improves Cincinnati to 4-2 and drops Baltimore to 4-3, giving the Bengals an important AFC North win that seemed almost unimaginable at halftime.
The Bengals have plenty to address after their poor first-half performance, but their response was big-time. What began as one of their most frustrating afternoons of the season ended as one of their most satisfying victories.
What's Next
The Bengals return home Sunday, November 1, to face the Tennessee Titans at Paycor Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS, with Cincinnati looking to build on its dramatic comeback and earn a third consecutive victory.
