Fans were treated to the best Thursday night game in quite some time, and perhaps the best game of the year.
An AFC North battle came down to a two-point conversion between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in an absolute shootout that the purple and gold squeaked out.
However, it is pretty apparent they got some help from the referees on Cincinnati’s final drive.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (87) cannot reach a fourth-quarter two-point conversion attempt against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images)
The refs missed a facemask on the final drive and another roughing the passer earlier, but it ultimately didn’t matter, as Ja’Marr Chase wound up scoring his third touchdown of the night to make it a one-point game.
But on the two-point conversation, Joe Burrow was hit near the facemask, which has been called roughing the passer plenty of times, and Baltimore might have gotten away with two separate defensive holdings on the play. Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson, who may have been held, fell incomplete.
Terry McAulay felt that the Ravens had gotten away with two penalties on the play that ultimately decided the game, as Cincinnati did not recover their onside kick, and play-by-play announcer Al Michaels was not thrilled.
“Too many games end this way. They just do. You miss calls. The whole thing. It’s so frustrating to the fans. So frustrating,” Michaels pleaded.
The game was an instant classic, with 34 points scored in the fourth quarter. Chase had 11 catches for 264 yards and three scores in the tough loss.
The reigning MVP in Lamar Jackson completed 25 of his 33 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns, all by different receivers.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scores a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
In the teams’ first matchup of the season, Baltimore won, 41-38.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh, left, pressures Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) as he passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
It’s now two straight wins for the 7-3 Ravens after a tough road loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Cincy fell to 4-6 with their struggles against contenders still here.
Baltimore will head to Pittsburgh for another division matchup in Week 11, while Cincy will head to Los Angeles for a date with the Chargers.
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