Ravens vs. Bengals final: 3 MVPs(!), 6 winners and 5 losers

The Baltimore Ravens win! WHAT AN INSANE GAME!

The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals went to war on Sunday and someway, somehow, the Ravens found the way to win. Jackson carved the Bengals defense and desperate clutch plays at the end by the defense resulted in a 41-38 OT win.

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MVP: Lamar Jackson

In an all-out quarterback duel against Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson came through. Each time the Ravens needed a clutch play*, he delivered. What an incredible, astounding football game filled with brilliance. Jackson put the cape on and went full Super LJ to overcome multiple 10-point deficits.

Jackson finished the game with 348 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-42 passing. He added another 55 yards on the ground.

*No, we won’t be talking about the overtime fumble because why should we?

MVP: Derrick Henry

This offseason, the Ravens signed the best running back of this generation to be the clutch playmaker they need when everything is on the line. A running back that can be a locomotive to get the offense down the field. And one play after Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed a 53-yard game-winning field goal, Henry scorched them for a 51-yard gain to as the train delivered the win. And to cap things off, Henry eclipsed 10,000 career rushing yards and 100 career touchdowns.

MVP Justin Tucker

Talk all season has been about Tucker’s struggles from 50+. And with the pressure at its highest, he comes through with a monster 56-yard field goal. And on the other end, “Money Mac” missed the game-winning 53-yard field goal with the wind at his back. The kick never had a shot as it sailed left immediately after contact. How sweet it was for Tucker to knock through a chip-shot 24-yarder to win it.

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Winners

Charlie Kolar: He may well be Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s new favorite receiving weapon. Today, he helped put the Ravens get across the field on a 55-yard reception when the Ravens were facing a gut-check moment down 10. Kolar finished with 64 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Marlon Humphrey: A clutch interception on the final chance to stop the Bengals and he answers the call.

Rashod Bateman: A clutch catch by Bateman on 2nd & 10 extended a drive in the first half, and he was rewarded five plays later with a wide-open 16-yard touchdown. In the fourth, Bateman also managed a nine-yard gain to give the Ravens a jump-start on their final drive. Rather than settling for five yards, he accelerated for nine through two defenders.

Tavius Robinson: Facing a 3rd & 1, the Ravens put their run-stopping edge defenders on the field in Robinson and Malik Harrison. But rather than go directly at them, they opted to pass and Robinson swam through a pair of blockers and got the Ravens defense off the field with a seven-yard sack on Burrow.

Nnamdi Madubuike: Along with persistent pressure throughout the game, Madubuike delivered a stunning first-down sack on Burrow to put them behind the sticks!

Mark Andrews: Welcome back, MAndrews. Ravens Flock has missed you. After zero catches in back-to-back games, Andrews finished with four receptions for 55 yards.

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Losers

Tylan Wallace: The decision to not field a second-quarter punt turned into two points and a possession for the Bengals as Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard slashed through for the safety on Henry. But give Wallace credit for helping move the chains on two receptions for 31 yards. He did his best to atone for the gaff in the first half.

Coaching: A brutal mess to end the first half. An unnecessary timeout used and failed third down conversion gave the Bengals the ball back. A wide-open Ja’Marr Chase touchdown and penalty on Nnamdi Madubuike gives the Bengals two-point try, which succeeds. Bad decisions handed the Bengals the lead.

Passing Defense: The Ravens entered as one of the worst defenses against the pass. In the first half, they gave up 157 yards and two touchdowns. The defense entered knowing they must contain Tee Higgins and Chase. They combined for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. In all, they allowed Joe Burrow to throw for 392 yards and five touchdowns. Thankfully, Humphrey’s interception saved them from even greater criticism.

Pass Rush: Burrow was too frequently given ample time to carve up the Ravens secondary. And while they notched three well-timed sacks, the pressure was infrequent. And when the extra rushers came down, they weren’t getting home. Fortunately, this is a game they can look at a lot of tape to learn from, even with it being in a victory.

Officiating: Ravens got hosed. Mark Andrews’ facemask was blatantly yanked on and somehow, the official mere yards away didn’t see. Instead of giving the Ravens a fresh set of downs at the Bengals 23-yard line, they had to settle for a 56-yard field goal.