As the ball soared through the Baltimore sky, its destination was all but a foregone conclusion. The Ravens were trusting kicker Justin Tucker to win them the game, because their offense had done just enough and their defense had done just enough, and now they could trust the NFL’s most reliable player.
There are worse options than having Tucker end a game. His 43-yard field goal split the uprights, sealing a 19-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and ending another dramatic night in Baltimore. The kick ended the Ravens’ franchise-record five-game home losing streak and wiped away any momentum Cincinnati had earned in its comprehensive sweep last season.
With the win, the Ravens jumped into first place in the AFC North entering a return trip to New Jersey. There, the New York Giants will welcome them back to MetLife Stadium with a 4-1 record and a special blend of blitzes prepared by former Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
