Baltimore was on an incredible run coming into Week 13. Five games won, a turnaround from a 1-5 start to the season. It even had us believing they could keep the momentum, but Week 13 had a different story.

The Bengals beat the Ravens 32-14, snapping their five-game winning streak. But that wasn't all. It marked the return of Joe Burrow, who had been sidelined early in the season. And although it was the Ravens who took a 7-3 lead thanks to a Derrick Henry rushing touchdown, the momentum didn’t last. Here are some takeaways, including our read on a former MVP.

Burrow gives the Bengals a Run For Their Money in the QB1 Race

After that week 2 toe surgery, Joe Burrow finally returned, starting slowly. But once he settled in, he regained his rhythm and lifted the Bengals’ offense. He and Ja’Marr Chase had some early miscommunication, but they eventually connected well. Chase finished with 110 yards on seven catches. 

Burrow used the short game early, then opened things up with successful throws at the second level, including touchdown passes to Tanner Hudson and Andrei Iosivas in the third quarter. He walked out of the game with 261 yards and 2 touchdowns. And he wasn't just helping out the offense.

As the NFL reports,” The Bengals defense, maligned all season, seemed energized by their signal-caller's return.” Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy pressured Lamar Jackson throughout the game, with Ossai racking up two sacks and a forced fumble. The Ravens were held to just 346 yards and 14 points, Bengals' strongest defensive showing since Week 1.

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Weigh Heavily on Baltimore

It was another tough night for Lamar Jackson, looking uncomfortable and inconsistent, and often missing throws high and low. He finished 17 of 32 for 246 yards but committed three turnovers, two costly red-zone fumbles in the first half, and a deflected interception late in the game that effectively ended the Ravens’ chance.

Even big plays slipped away, like a 43-yard pass to Isaiah Likely that should’ve been a touchdown but became a turnover at the goal line. 

He's not had a touchdown in the last three games, including against weaker sides such as the Browns and the Jets. Henry has us believing this team can do it, but only if Jackson is consistent.

Do the Ravens still have a chance for the AFC? 

With this defeat, the undefeated streak of 5 games has come to an end for the Ravens, and they have also lost their number spot at the AFC North table. Now the big question is, with only 6 weeks left, do they still have a chance of winning the AFC North title? Yes. 

The Ravens will host the Steelers at home in Week 14, then go on the road to face Cincinnati in Week 15, and close the season with another game against the Steelers. If the Ravens win all three of those matchups, or even just two of them,  they’ll put themselves in a strong position to take that AFC North title.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar