The Ravens had decisive moments in the first half and held a 13-10 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati’s struggles continue on offense, as they’re still looking for their first touchdown of the season, but they were stout on defense and held Baltimore to two field goals and one Gus Edwards touchdown.
Buy Ravens TicketsJustin Tucker’s second field goal of the afternoon broke a 10-10 tie as time expired in the first half and put the Ravens ahead.
With the second half underway, here are key takeaways from the first half.
Lamar Jackson opening drive
After a preseason like performance in Week 1, Lamar Jackson completed all five of his passes for 38 yards on the opening drive.
Gus Edwards ran three times for 20 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown.
One of the keys to that opening TD drive for #Ravens: great pass protection.
On Lamar Jackson's 5 dropbacks, he had an average of 3.43 seconds per dropback, per @NextGenStats.
This is without two starting offensive lineman in Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 17, 2023
Jackson completed his first seven passes of the game.
Morgan Moses strong start at right tackle
Morgan Moses with an absolute CRUNCH on the pin and pull.#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/krcFqFXKsj
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) September 17, 2023
Patrick Queen is a weapon
Queen led the Ravens with five tackles in the first half.
Patrick Queen getting sideline to sideline early. Ravens force another three-and-out after Tucker miss gave Bengals the short field.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 17, 2023
Queen is playing for a new contract and he’s been lights out through the first two weeks.
The Ravens need to find a way to keep Patrick Queen in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/Apw6iHyXBl
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) September 17, 2023
Ravens defense
Ravens defense has forced three-and-outs on its first two drives of the game.
Justin Tucker is human
Tucker made two of three with a long of 44 yards.
Tucker missed a 59 yard kick.
Charlie Jones 81 yard punt return
This was the first punt return touchdown allowed by Ravens since Week 5 of 2016, per ESPNStatsInfo.
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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
Zay Flowers
The rookie has one catch for 11 yards in the first half.
Joystick!
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/H2sB1XPMVw
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 17, 2023
Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton has one tackle on the day and this key pass breakup.
ROCK-ed it
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/KSo2OiOkGF
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 17, 2023
Penalties in red zone
Two holding penalties in a row on the Ravens (Simpson, then Mustipher). Now 1st and 30 (lol) back to the 32-yard line with 15 seconds left and Baltimore one timeout. #RavensFlock
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 17, 2023
Lamar Jackson spreadng football around
Lamar Jackson is 16-of-24 for 141 yards, and also has rushed 6 times for 29 yards. Nelson Agholor, Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr. and Mark Andrews all have three receptions.
We talked about Jackson needing to get more skill players involved and early on, he’s completed a pass to 7 different players, while targeting 8.
Ravens running game
With J.K. Dobbins out for the year, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are teaming up to split the running back duties.
Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens early on with six carries for 29 yards. Gus Edwards has four carries for 25 yards and a touchdown, while Justice Hill has nine carries for 28 yards.
Joe Burrow
Burrow was limited in the first half, going 8-11 passing, for 35 yards (3.2 avg) zero touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 75.9 rating.
