Burrow and Chase Shine, but Bengals Fall Short to Ravens in Close Battle

TNF Score: Ravens Edge Bengals 35-34 Despite Stellar Performances

BALTIMORE – In a Thursday night AFC North thriller, Cincinnati Bengals stars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase nearly pulled off a stunning comeback against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite their impressive efforts, the Bengals fell just short, losing 35-34 to their division rivals.

Burrow and Chase connected for major plays all night, including a critical late-game touchdown that set up Cincinnati for a chance to win. But a failed two-point conversion attempt with just 38 seconds left on the clock left the Bengals with their sixth loss of the season, dropping their record to 4-6.

The loss overshadowed outstanding performances by both Burrow and Chase. Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, completing 34 of his 56 pass attempts. Meanwhile, Chase tallied 11 catches for 264 receiving yards and three touchdowns, one of the best games of his career. Despite the dynamic duo’s contributions, the Bengals couldn’t secure the win.

Ravens’ Defense Closes the Gap in the Second Half

The Bengals appeared to be in control midway through the third quarter, leading 21-7. However, Baltimore’s defense seized a game-changing opportunity when cornerback Marlon Humphrey forced a fumble by Bengals running back Chase Brown. This critical turnover sparked a 21-point scoring surge by the Ravens, flipping the lead in their favor as they headed into the final quarter.

Despite the Ravens’ strong comeback, Burrow and Chase didn’t back down. When the Ravens reclaimed the lead with just under two minutes remaining, Burrow quickly fired back with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Chase, tying the score at 28-28. The Bengals later found themselves within striking distance again, with Burrow connecting with Chase for another touchdown in the final minute. But when Cincinnati went for a two-point conversion to potentially win the game, Burrow’s pass to tight end Tanner Hudson fell incomplete, sealing their fate.

Cincinnati Stars Deliver Career Performances in Vain

Burrow and Chase’s efforts exemplified their strong on-field chemistry, developed over six of the past seven seasons together since their college days at LSU. Chase, who nearly matched his career-high of 266 receiving yards, showcased his elite playmaking ability throughout the game. However, Cincinnati’s inconsistent season has left both players frustrated, as their efforts have not consistently translated into wins.

The Bengals, once considered a playoff contender, find themselves under .500 after ten games. Burrow entered the game as one of the league’s top quarterbacks by Total QBR, second only to Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who himself had a strong showing with 290 passing yards and four touchdowns. Chase is also among the league’s top receivers, ranking just behind Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson in total receiving yards.

Missed Opportunities Add to Bengals’ Frustrations

Adding to Cincinnati’s woes is their star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who leads the NFL in sacks this season. Despite these individual successes, the Bengals have not been able to consistently convert strong performances into victories. “If you look at how we’re playing and you look at Trey Hendrickson, how he’s playing, yeah, that’s a tough pill to swallow,” Burrow said post-game. “But we’ve had our opportunities.”

With four games left before the playoff cutoff, the Bengals face an uphill battle to turn their season around. For Burrow and Chase, Thursday night’s game was a powerful example of their potential — but the lack of team cohesion ultimately proved costly.