Revenge Served Cold: Baltimore Gets First Shutout Since 2018 in Must-Win Game

CINCINNATI — On a frigid December afternoon with playoff survival on the line, the Baltimore Ravens delivered their most complete performance of the season, blanking the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Two weeks after suffering a humiliating 32-14 Thanksgiving Night loss to these same Bengals, the Ravens (7-7) answered with a suffocating defensive performance that shut out Joe Burrow for the first time in his six-year NFL career while the offense moved efficiently behind Lamar Jackson’s two touchdown passes.

“Complementary football in all three phases, coming off our best week of practice,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ve had really good weeks of practice, very intentional weeks of practice, and this was another level. At this point in time, to see that is really what is impressive about these guys.”

The shutout was Baltimore’s first since 2018 and ended a two-game losing streak that had the Ravens’ season teetering on the brink. More importantly, it kept Baltimore within a half-game of the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) in the AFC North race and proved this team still has plenty of fight left.

Revenge Was Sweet

If you didn’t think the Thanksgiving Night embarrassment motivated the Ravens, safety Alohi Gilman made it crystal clear.

“I think we were [ticked] off we lost to them the first time; I’m not going to lie,” Gilman said. “It was good to go out there and just put that on tape and let everyone know that we’re ready to roll.”

Before the game, safety Kyle Hamilton was captured on video delivering a passionate, profanity-laced speech to his fellow defensive backs, emphasizing the stakes: “We beat them, their [expletive] season’s over!”

The Ravens played with exactly that edge all afternoon. They hit hard. They chirped at Burrow. They flexed and talked and stared down the Bengals on their home turf in 9-degree weather.

And most importantly, they executed.

The Game Flow: Defense Dominates

The game was scoreless through the first quarter and well into the second, as both offenses struggled in the bitter cold. But Baltimore broke through late in the second quarter with back-to-back touchdown drives that proved to be all they would need.

First Half: Setting the Tone

Score: Ravens 14, Bengals 0 at Halftime

With 4:35 remaining in the second quarter, Jackson connected with running back Rasheen Ali on a short pass that Ali turned into a 30-yard touchdown. The play was executed against a Bengals blitz, with Ali slipping out of the backfield wide open for the easy score.

“To get down there and to get the seven points, take it to 14, two-score game going into halftime — it was a huge drive,” Harbaugh said.

Four minutes later, Baltimore struck again. Taking possession with just 1:05 remaining and three timeouts, Jackson orchestrated a hurry-up masterclass. The five-play, 80-yard drive took only 42 seconds and culminated in a beautiful 28-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers down the left sideline.

The 14-0 halftime lead felt insurmountable given how the Ravens’ defense was playing.

Second Half: Shutting the Door

Baltimore added a 27-yard Tyler Loop field goal midway through the third quarter to extend the lead to 17-0, then put the game on ice in the fourth quarter with one of the plays of the year.

The Knockout Punch:

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Bengals desperately trying to avoid the shutout, Burrow drove Cincinnati to the Ravens’ 7-yard line. On third-and-goal, Burrow tried to avoid pressure from linebacker Tavius Robinson when he threw directly into the arms of Kyle Van Noy at the 5-yard line.

Van Noy caught the interception, then immediately lateraled to Alohi Gilman, who raced 95 yards untouched to the end zone for a pick-six that made it 24-0.

The 95-yard return completely deflated the Bengals and their crowd. It was Baltimore’s exclamation point on a dominant defensive performance.

“The defense came out and played lights out,” Jackson said. “They held them to zero points. That’s what you need.”

Offensive Efficiency: Less Is More

The Ravens’ offense was on the field for just 20:41 — barely over a third of the game — but made every possession count when it mattered.

Lamar Jackson:

• 8-of-12 passing, 150 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• 26 rushing yards on 2 carries
• Passer rating: 127.1 (when you take out the INT off a dropped pass)

Jackson was efficient and decisive, avoiding the mistakes that had plagued him in recent weeks. His interception came after a dropped pass by Zay Flowers bounced directly to Bengals defensive back Jordan Battle, so it wasn’t entirely his fault.

“I believe all of us on offense had good rhythm,” Jackson said. “It felt like us, and we just have to keep pushing the envelope. We got positive yards and stayed ahead of the sticks.”

Derrick Henry:

• 100 yards on just 11 carries (9.1 yards per carry)
• Multiple runs of 20+ yards
• His sixth 100-yard game of the season

Henry was explosive and efficient, punishing the NFL’s worst defense with his trademark power and speed. Three massive runs in the third quarter — all over 20 yards — helped Baltimore control field position and drain the clock.

Combined with Keaton Mitchell’s 66 yards on 8 carries, the Ravens’ rushing attack totaled 189 yards while the Bengals managed just 61 on the ground.

Key Receiving Performances:

• Zay Flowers: 28-yard TD, multiple key catches
• DeAndre Hopkins: 32-yard reception set up first TD
• Rasheen Ali: 30-yard TD reception

The offense scored on three straight drives spanning the late second quarter and early third quarter — exactly when they needed to put the game away.

Defensive Domination

This was the Ravens’ defense at its absolute best.

Joe Burrow’s Nightmare:

• 25-of-39 passing, 225 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
• Sacked 3 times
• 4-of-10 for 59 yards under pressure
• First shutout of his NFL career
• Second straight game with multiple interceptions

“I mean, I think this is one of the worst games I’ve played,” Burrow admitted after the game. “When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance to win.”

Key Defensive Stats:

• Ravens held Bengals to 0 points (obviously)
• Just 61 rushing yards allowed
• 3 sacks (Tavius Robinson, Kyle Van Noy were particularly disruptive)
• 2 interceptions
• Multiple fourth-down stops

Individual Standouts:

Kyle Van Noy:

• Pick-six lateral to Gilman
• Constant pressure on Burrow

Alohi Gilman:

• 85-yard return for a touchdown after Van Noy’s lateral
• Critical tackles throughout

Tavius Robinson:

• Made his presence felt in his return from injury
• 15-yard sack knocked Bengals out of field goal range in first half
• Hit that forced Van Noy’s interception

Kyle Hamilton:

• Delivered a fiery pre-game speech
• Solid coverage throughout

Ja’Marr Chase still got his stats (10 catches, 132 yards) but the Ravens never let him beat them deep. Everything was underneath, forcing long drives that the Bengals couldn’t sustain.

Historical Significance

For the Ravens:

• First shutout since 2018
• Fourth time shutting out the Bengals all-time
• 95-yard pick-six ties for the longest interception return in franchise history
• Snap a two-game losing streak at the most critical time

For the Bengals:

• First shutout at home since 2017 opener (also against Baltimore, 20-0)
• First time Burrow shut out in his career (70+ games)
• Eliminated from playoff contention at 4-10
• Second straight season, Baltimore eliminates them

The symmetry is remarkable: Baltimore shut out Cincinnati 20-0 at home in 2017 to start that season, and now 24-0 on the road in 2025. The Ravens have completely owned this rivalry in critical moments.

Playoff Picture: Still Alive

With the victory, Baltimore improved to 7-7 and remains a half-game behind Pittsburgh (7-6) in the AFC North standings. According to The New York Times playoff model, the Ravens’ chances of winning the division jumped from 27% to 40% with Sunday’s win.

If Miami beats Pittsburgh on Monday night, Baltimore’s division odds would rise to 50% — essentially a coin flip with three games remaining.

Current AFC North Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6 (.538)
2. Baltimore Ravens: 7-7 (.500) — 0.5 games back
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-10 (.286) — eliminated
4. Cleveland Browns: 3-11 (.214) — eliminated

Remaining Schedule:

• Week 16 (Dec. 21): vs. New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium — HOME (Sunday Night Football, 8:20 PM ET, NBC)
• Week 17 (Dec. 29): @ Green Bay Packers
• Week 18 (Jan. 5): @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The path is clear: Win out and Baltimore wins the AFC North, regardless of what Pittsburgh does. The Ravens control their own destiny.

Derrick Henry Milestone Watch

With 100 yards rushing on Sunday, Derrick Henry now has 1,125 rushing yards on the season and 12,548 career rushing yards.

All-Time NFL Rushing Leaders:

1. Emmitt Smith – 18,355 yards
2. Walter Payton – 16,726 yards
3. Barry Sanders – 15,269 yards
4. Frank Gore – 16,000 yards
5. Curtis Martin – 14,101 yards
6. LaDainian Tomlinson – 13,684 yards
7. Jerome Bettis – 13,662 yards
8. Eric Dickerson – 13,259 yards
9. Tony Dorsett – 12,739 yards
10. Derrick Henry – 12,548 yards ⬆️ (moved up from 11th)
11. Jim Brown – 12,312 yards

Henry passed Jim Brown (11th all-time) two weeks ago on Thanksgiving Night. With 100 yards Sunday, he’s now moved into a comfortable position in 10th place, sitting 191 yards behind Tony Dorsett (9th all-time).

This Season: Henry is on pace to finish with approximately 1,300+ rushing yards if he maintains his current average, which would mark his seventh consecutive season with 1,000+ yards and 10+ TDs — only the fourth player in NFL history to accomplish that feat.

At 31 years old, “The King” shows no signs of slowing down. His 9.1 yards per carry on Sunday and three explosive 20+ yard runs demonstrate he still has the burst and power that make him one of the most dangerous backs in football.

What This Win Means

This wasn’t just a win. This was a statement.

After back-to-back gut-wrenching losses to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, the Ravens needed to prove they weren’t done. They needed to show they could still play complementary football. They needed to demonstrate the toughness and physicality that has defined Baltimore football for decades.

They did all of that and more.

“We were ticked off about losing to them the first time,” Gilman said, perfectly capturing the team’s mindset. Sunday was about pride, about redemption, about proving the Thanksgiving Night disaster was an aberration rather than a revelation.

The offense was efficient without needing to be spectacular. Jackson protected the football (mostly) and made plays when needed. Henry ran with power and explosion. The play-calling was sharp.

But it was the defense that truly shined. Shutting out Joe Burrow and eliminating the Bengals from playoff contention on their home field was the kind of dominant performance that can galvanize a team down the stretch.

Injury Concerns

The only dark cloud from Sunday’s performance was injuries:

• LB Teddye Buchanan (knee): Left in first half, did not return — potentially season-ending
• CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot): Injured in second half, did not return
• CB Marlon Humphrey (knee): Injured but returned to the game

For a team already dealing with depth issues, losing Buchanan for any length of time would be a significant blow. The Ravens’ medical staff will evaluate all three players this week.

The Bengals also suffered multiple injuries:

• WR Charlie Jones (ankle)
• TE Noah Fant (ankle)
• DT Kris Jenkins Jr. (ankle)
• RT Amarius Mims (knee)

Looking Ahead: Patriots on Sunday Night

The Ravens return home to M&T Bank Stadium for a massive Sunday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots on December 21st at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.

The Patriots are beatable, and M&T Bank Stadium should be rocking with holiday energy and a desperate fanbase sensing playoff possibility. With Pittsburgh playing Monday night against Miami, the Ravens have a chance to apply pressure and potentially catch the Steelers with a convincing win.

This is where the season turns. Win at home against New England, and Baltimore is 8-7 with real momentum. Then it’s off to Green Bay for Week 17 before the season-ending showdown in Pittsburgh.

The margin for error is gone. Every game is must-win. But if the Ravens play the way they did Sunday in Cincinnati — physical, disciplined, complementary football — they have every reason to believe they can win out and capture a third straight AFC North title.

Park at Harbor Park Garage for the Patriots Game

Ravens fans, it’s time to show out at home!

The December 21st Sunday Night Football game against the Patriots is critical for Baltimore’s playoff hopes. The atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium will be electric, and your support could be the difference in a tight game.

Harbor Park Garage makes your game day experience stress-free:

Location: 55 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

• Just 0.8 miles from M&T Bank Stadium
• 15-minute walk or quick rideshare ride
• Perfect pre-game and post-game location

Game Day Features:

• Competitive rates for Ravens home games
• Covered parking protects against December weather
• 24/7 security and professional staffing
• Reserve online at harborparkgarage.com

Holiday Atmosphere: December 21st falls right in the heart of the holiday season. Downtown Baltimore will be beautifully decorated, Inner Harbor will be festive, and the energy will be incredible. Make a full day of it:

• Park at Harbor Park Garage
• Grab lunch/dinner at Power Plant Live (5-minute walk)
• Enjoy pre-game festivities at Inner Harbor
• Take Light Rail directly to M&T Bank Stadium
• Celebrate the victory (we hope!) at waterfront restaurants after the game

Don’t wait until the last minute! Sunday Night Football games always draw big crowds, and parking fills up quickly. Reserve your spot today at harborparkgarage.com and focus on what matters — cheering the Ravens to victory.

Final Thoughts

The Ravens are back.

After Sunday’s dominant performance, there’s no question this team has the talent, toughness, and resolve to make a playoff run. The defense proved it can shut down elite offenses. The offense showed it can execute efficiently. Special teams were solid.

Most importantly, they played with an edge — a nastiness — that had been missing in recent weeks. That killer instinct is what separates playoff teams from pretenders.

Joe Burrow said it best after the game: “There’s a huge amount of accountability I have to take with that. It’s frustrating to score zero points. That’s unacceptable.”

For Baltimore, holding one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and most explosive offenses to zero points is exactly what was needed. It was a reminder to the rest of the league: Write off the Ravens at your own peril.

Game Summary:

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 0

Scoring Summary:

• 2Q (4:35): Jackson 30-yard TD pass to Rasheen Ali (Loop XP) — Ravens 7-0
• 2Q (0:23): Jackson 28-yard TD pass to Zay Flowers (Loop XP) — Ravens 14-0
• 3Q (9:08): Loop 27-yard FG — Ravens 17-0
• 4Q (7:38): Kyle Van Noy 95-yard INT return for TD, lateral to Alohi Gilman (Loop XP) — Ravens 24-0

Team Statistics:

Individual Stats:

Passing:

• Lamar Jackson (BAL): 8-12, 150 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Joe Burrow (CIN): 25-39, 225 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT

Rushing:

• Derrick Henry (BAL): 11 carries, 100 yards
• Keaton Mitchell (BAL): 8 carries, 66 yards
• Chase Brown (CIN): 11 carries, 42 yards

Receiving:

• Ja’Marr Chase (CIN): 10 catches, 132 yards
• Chase Brown (CIN): 7 catches, 37 yards
• Zay Flowers (BAL): 28-yard TD reception

Records:

• Ravens: 7-7 (2nd in AFC North)
• Bengals: 4-10 (eliminated from playoffs)

Next Game: Ravens vs. Patriots, Sunday, December 21, 8:20 PM ET, NBC (Sunday Night Football) at M&T Bank Stadium

The season is still alive. The playoff dream survives. Three games remain, and Baltimore controls its own destiny. It all starts with protecting home field against the Patriots on Sunday night under the lights.

Play Like a Raven. #RavensFlock #BALvsCIN