Moments that made Thursday’s Bengals vs. Ravens game an instant classic

BALTIMORE —

Thursday night’s primetime game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens will likely go down as one of the NFL season’s most thrilling games.

The back-and-forth contest saw the visiting Bengals take a 21-7 lead in the second half, only for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to storm back and scratch out a narrow 35-34 win in spectacular fashion on their home field.

From Ja’Marr Chase nearly breaking the Bengals’ single-game receiving record to the Ravens scoring 28 points in the final 19 minutes, Thursday’s primetime game featured several moments and plays that NFL fans will remember for the remainder of the season.

Chase on the case

Early in the third quarter, after forcing a quick punt on the Ravens’ first possession of the second half, Joe Burrow and the Bengals took over for their first drive of the half leading 14-7 and looking to extend their lead.

They did so emphatically, with Burrow finding Chase for a 67-yard touchdown on their first offensive play of the half, during which the 24-year-old Chase sped past multiple Ravens in the secondary on his way to the end zone.

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Many likely thought that play would go down as the highlight of the game, but after three consecutive touchdowns by the Ravens gave them a 28-21 advantage, Burrow and Chase connected on another long score.

The second score between Burrow and Chase was perhaps even more impressive than the first, with Burrow lofting a 70-yard touchdown to his former college teammate with 5:37 remaining in the game, once again evening the score at 28.

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Chase would go on to score a third touchdown on Thursday night, giving him 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a historic performance.

Although Chase’s final touchdown of the evening was ultimately overshadowed by the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Chase came two yards shy of breaking the Bengals’ single-game receiving record set by none other than…. Chase in January of 2022 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ravens storm back

After Chase’s first touchdown of the night extended Cincinnati’s lead and the Bengals followed it up by forcing the Ravens’ fifth punt of the game, Thursday’s contest could have gotten out of hand quickly for Baltimore.

But a clutch defensive play and a costly mistake by Bengals running back Chase Brown ultimately began a momentum shift that put Baltimore in the driver’s seat of the contest.

Brown’s fumble with about seven minutes remaining in the third quarter allowed Baltimore to take over from the Bengals’ 27-yard line. Five plays later, running back Derrick Henry scored an easy 1-yard touchdown and the Ravens were right back in the game.

Cincinnati would follow with a punt before the Ravens’ longest play of the night tied the game and sent M&T Bank Stadium into pandemonium early in the final quarter.

Trailing by seven, Jackson connected with wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who broke multiple tackles and ran 84 yards down the sideline for the touchdown. Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker missed the extra point but the momentum had shifted to the Ravens by this point in the game.

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A decision to go for a fourth-and-two from the Baltimore 34-yard line was unsuccessful for the Bengals and just a few minutes later, the Ravens were on top for the first time after a Mark Andrews touchdown and Jackson two-point conversion.

After Chase’s second score of the night evened the score again, an 11-play drive by Jackson and the Ravens ended in a Rashod Bateman touchdown, giving the Ravens a lead they would not relinquish in the closing minutes.

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The 2-point decision

The play that perhaps will be most remembered from Thursday night is the Bengals’ decision to go for two after cutting the lead to 35-34 with 38 seconds remaining in the game.

After getting the ball back with under two minutes remaining, Burrow led the Bengals down the field and found Chase for a 5-yard score in the back of the end zone, making it a one-point game.

Instead of bringing kicker Evan McPherson out to attempt the game-tying extra point, head coach Zac Taylor kept his offense out on the field, with the hopes of winning the game in regulation.

In the end, Burrow’s pass attempt to tight end Tanner Hudson fell incomplete, though not without controversy, as some fans were clamoring for a defensive holding flag on the final play that was ultimately not called.

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Burrow finished his night 34-56 passing for 428 yards and four touchdowns, continuing an MVP-caliber campaign in another crushing defeat for the Bengals.