Fans were treated to the best Thursday night game in quite some time, and perhaps the best game of the year.
An AFC North battle came down to a two-point conversion between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in an absolute shootout that the purple and gold squeaked out.
However, it is pretty apparent they got some help from the referees on Cincinnati’s final drive.
The referees missed a facemask penalty on the final drive, as well as a roughing the passer call earlier in the game, but in the end, it didn’t affect the outcome. Ja’Marr Chase caught his third touchdown of the night, bringing Cincinnati within one point.
However, on the subsequent two-point conversion attempt, Joe Burrow was hit near the facemask—an infraction that’s often called roughing the passer—and Baltimore may have escaped with two defensive holding penalties on the play. Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson, who appeared to be held, fell incomplete.
Terry McAulay believed the Ravens got away with two key penalties on the deciding play, especially since Cincinnati failed to recover their onside kick afterward. Play-by-play announcer Al Michaels expressed his frustration, saying, “Too many games end this way. Missed calls, all of it. It’s so frustrating for the fans. So frustrating.”
The game itself was a thrilling showdown, with 34 points scored in the fourth quarter alone. Chase had an incredible performance, posting 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in the tough loss.
Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP, threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns, with each score going to a different receiver.
In the teams’ first matchup of the season, Baltimore won, 41-38.
It’s now two straight wins for the 7-3 Ravens after a tough road loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Cincy fell to 4-6 with their struggles against contenders still here.
Baltimore will head to Pittsburgh for another division matchup in Week 11, while Cincy will head to Los Angeles for a date with the Chargers.
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