NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 27, Cincinnati Bengals 24

2RW7F7K Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Baltimore Ravens took down the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 on the road in Week 2, putting them 2-0 on the year while the Bengals fell to 0-2.

The Ravens struck first with a one-yard touchdown run by Gus Edwards midway through the first quarter, before the Bengals answered with an 81-yard punt return score from rookie wide receiver Charlie Jones. The teams traded field goals before a second Justin Tucker kick gave the Ravens a three-point lead at the half.

Touchdown passes from Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow led to a 20-17 Ravens lead heading into the final quarter. Jackson found wide receiver Nelson Agholor to extend Baltimore's lead to 10 early in the fourth quarter, but Tee Higgins caught his second touchdown pass of the day to get the Bengals back within three points late in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens didn't give the ball back after that, though, grinding out the win on the ground.


Offensive spotlight: The story of the day was how the Ravens were more efficient than the Bengals, finding success in the passing game and on the ground, where Justice Hill, Gus Edwards and Lamar Jackson all ran for 40-plus yards. Jackson went 24-of-33 for 237 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt.

Burrow completed 27-of-41 passes, but they went for just 222 yards, giving him a 5.4 yards per attempt average. While he did find Tee Higgins in the end zone twice for touchdowns, he also threw an interception. Ja’Marr Chase was held to 31 yards on five receptions from seven targets.

Defensive spotlight: The Ravens made plays in the secondary in this one. Safety Geno Stone, who started in place of the injured Marcus Williams, intercepted Burrow, while Ronald Darby, Rock Ya-Sin and Ar'Darius Washington all recorded pass breakups.

For the Bengals, DJ Reader was a force up front, causing the interior of the Ravens offensive line plenty of problems. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Logan Wilson and Zach Carter all recorded tackles for loss.

Rookie spotlight: Zay Flowers was once again fed the football for the Ravens, seeing five targets and one rushing attempt. The run went for just six yards, but he turned the five targets into four receptions for 62 yards and showcased his ability to make plays downfield on a 52-yard reception.


Box Score

Passing
Baltimore Ravens
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Long Sacks Rtg
Lamar Jackson 22.88 24 / 33 237 7.2 2 0 52 0 112.8
Cincinnati Bengals
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Long Sacks Rtg
Joe Burrow 16.38 27 / 41 222 5.4 2 1 32 1 85.6
Rushing
Baltimore Ravens
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Lamar Jackson 22.88 12 54 4.5 0 12 0
Gus Edwards 12.2 10 62 6.2 1 20 0
Zay Flowers 10.8 1 6 6 0 6 0
Justice Hill 8.3 11 41 3.7 0 11 0
Devin Duvernay 1.5 3 15 5 0 8 0
Cincinnati Bengals
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Joe Burrow 16.38 1 5 5 0 5 0
Joe Mixon 13.5 13 59 4.5 0 14 0
Chase Brown 0.2 1 2 2 0 2 0
Receiving
Baltimore Ravens
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT YPR TD Long
Nelson Agholor 17.3 6 5 63 10.5 12.6 1 17
Mark Andrews 15.5 8 5 45 5.6 9 1 20
Zay Flowers 10.8 5 4 62 12.4 15.5 0 52
Justice Hill 8.3 3 3 12 4 4 0 8
Odell Beckham Jr. 5.9 4 3 29 7.2 9.7 0 15
Rashod Bateman 4.8 3 3 18 6 6 0 9
Isaiah Likely 1.8 1 1 8 8 8 0 8
Devin Duvernay 1.5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cincinnati Bengals
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT YPR TD Long
Tee Higgins 28.9 12 8 89 7.4 11.1 2 20
Joe Mixon 13.5 5 4 36 7.2 9 0 32
Tyler Boyd 11.2 8 6 52 6.5 8.7 0 13
Ja'Marr Chase 8.1 8 5 31 3.9 6.2 0 13
Irv Smith Jr. 3 4 2 10 2.5 5 0 6
Trayveon Williams 2.4 2 2 4 2 2 0 3
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