The Baltimore Ravens gave up 35 unanswered points to the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of Sunday’s game, resulting in their second AFC North loss in a row. Here are Baltimore Beatdown’s takeaways from the game:
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
With respect to the Ravens’ veteran players and coaches, it is clear that leadership is lacking in Baltimore. For better and for worse, Lamar Jackson cures virtually all ills on the offensive side of the ball. He keeps his teammates focused and makes the impossible plays when they are necessary. But who is that on the Ravens defense? They have a laundry list of names – Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Calais Campbell, Nnamdi Madubuike – but they are all polished, well-spoke players, perhaps to a fault. Who is on the sidelines holding their teammates accountable – loudly, aggressively, if need be? Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs may be nearly impossible to live up to, but they represent the standard nonetheless. Seeing some of those legends chime in during the game on social media made me cringe in embarrassment for the team. And, yes, the coaches deserve a glance here, too. Minter is occupied during the game, sure, but but keeping his players in the game should be Anthony Weaver’s bread-and-butter. – Nikhil Mehta
Cincy’s first half offense struggled, in no small part due Baltimore’s pass rush consistently collapsing the pocket around Joe Burrow. Even on plays that weren’t finished with sacks, he had to throw the ball away multiple times, leaving the Bengals’ two primary targets in Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase quiet on the stat sheet.
Source: Yahoo Sports
