(Baltimore) Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter and the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 34-20 on Thursday.
Leaders in the North section of the American Association, the Ravens (8-3) swept their two-game series this season against the Bengals (5-5) to give themselves a lead of 2.5 games over the team of Ohio.
But this defeat was not the only concern for the Bengals on Thursday. Quarterback Joe Burrow left the game in the second quarter after throwing a touchdown pass. He was unable to return afterwards.
The Bengals built a 10-7 lead on a four-yard pass from Burrow to Joe Mixon, but the Ravens responded when Jackson’s pass bounced off linebacker Germaine Pratt and into the hands of Nelson Agholor.
Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman for a 10-yard major with 23 seconds left in the first half to give the Ravens a 21-1 lead.
Replacing Burrow was Jake Browning, a 27-year-old backup quarterback who had played in only one NFL game. He was able to lead the Bengals to a field goal early in the second half.
That’s all he was able to do before a two-yard pass to Ja’Marr Chase for the touchdown with 1:08 left in the game.
Jackson threw for 264 yards, despite losing one of his favorite targets — slotback Mark Andrews — to an ankle injury on the game’s first offensive drive.
Gus Edwards started and concluded the Ravens’ offensive day with three-yard runs into the end zone. The first was 7-0 and the second, 34-13.
The Bengals won the sectional title the last two years when injuries to Jackson kept him on the sideline. This year, Jackson has stayed healthy and the Ravens’ rivals are the ones dealing with injuries to their quarterbacks.
The Cleveland Browns have lost Deshaun Watson for the season with a broken shoulder.
Now, Burrow is coming off another injury after dealing with calf issues earlier this season.
