Defensive Effort Helps Ravens Lead Bengals 13-10 at Half

A strong defensive effort from the Baltimore Ravens has given them a slim lead over the Cincinnati Bengals and has made up for shortcomings on special teams.

Behind a Gus Edwards rushing touchdown and two field goals from Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens own a 13-10 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals at halftime of their divisional showdown at Paycor Stadium. Cincinnati earned an Evan McPherson field goal and an 81-yard punt return tally for Charlie Jones.

Ravens (13)

PASSING: Lamar Jackson (16-of-22, 141 yards)
RUSHING: Justice Hill (9 carries, 28 yards)
RECEIVING: Nelson Agholor (3 rec., 38 yards)

Bengals (10)

PASSING: Joe Burrow (8-of-11, 35 yards)
RUSHING: Joe Mixon (5 carries, 26 yards)
RECEIVING: Tee Higgins (2 rec, 17 yards)

Charlie Jones' 81-yard PR for a TD was the longest in #Bengals history since 2000 (Peter Warrick - 82 yards)pic.twitter.com/QuWMBQbhJS

— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) September 17, 2023

Special Teams (In Name Only)

The Ravens' defense has come to play today, as it took the Bengals nearly a full period and-a-half to earn a first down on their own merit. But the special teams has kept Cincinnati in the game: sure, one can't expect Justin Tucker to hit every single triple, but an 81-yard tally for Charlie Jones via punt return score is unforgivable in a defensive struggle such as this.

Gus Edwards puts the @Ravens on the board first

📺: #BALvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/WTT5eIQaJe

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023

Gus Fling

Debate has reigned over what the Ravens will do with J.K. Dobbins out, whether it means deciding between Gus Edwards and Justice Hill or bringing in a veteran like former preseason resident Melvin Gordon. So far it's Edwards things easy for the Ravens, as he was responsible for a single-yard score and also broke loose for a 17-yard tally. Hills was able to pick up a respectable box score before all was said and done, getting some grinding yardage later the second period. Considering the way that the Browns were able to eat clock and wear down the Bengals' defense last week, a healthy dose of Edwards and Hill could work to their advantage. 

New Kids on the Block

Even with Zay Flowers not at 100 percent, he Ravens' high-octane newcomers are still trying to find their way, but each has made notable contributions to the box score. Odell Beckham Jr. picked up three receptions while some late tallies for unsung hero Nelson Agholor afforded Baltimore a chance at a late Tucker triple. A few practices together with Lamar Jackson should make the Ravens one of the more dangerous offensive teams come October, but they're treading water and keeping pace with their eliminator from last year.