National Post (National Edition)
Ravens kick losing habit against Bengals
BALTIMORE • One touchdown and Justin Tucker’s flawless right leg were enough to thrust the Baltimore Ravens into a firstplace tie in the AFC North.
Tucker kicked four field goals and Baltimore shut down the Cincinnati Bengals’ depleted offence Sunday in a 19-14 victory that put the resurgent Ravens back above .500.
Baltimore (6-5) has won three of four following a four-game losing streak.
Joe Flacco threw for 234 yards and a score to help the Ravens end a five-game skid against the Bengals (3-7-1), whose playoff hopes took another serious blow.
The victory was not assured until Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton fumbled when sacked by Elvis Dumervil, and defensive end Lawrence Guy recovered at the Baltimore 21 with 1:05 left and the Ravens up 19-12.
“We don’t want a fumble at the end,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “He moved up in the pocket. They just got a hand on the ball.”
Cincinnati got a safety on the final play when Baltimore punter Sam Koch ran out of the end zone. Koch was able to run out the clock because his teammates were intentionally holding the oncoming Bengals, drawing numerous flags.
By rule, a game does not continue on an offensive penalty as it would on a defensive penalty.
Dalton went 26 for 48 for 283 yards. He fumbled three times, losing two.
At this point, the Bengals will need a sensational finish to extend their run of consecutive playoff appearances to six. Cincinnati has won only one of seven games since Sept. 29.
“We have been able to control it ourselves. Now we need help,” Lewis said.
Tucker connected from 52, 57 and 54 yards to stake the Ravens to a 16-3 halftime lead. He added a 36-yard field goal to make it 19-9 with 12:16 remaining.
Tucker has made 34 field goals in a row, including 27 this season, and has connected on all 15 conversion tries.
“If you want to win, you want the ball in your hands,” Tucker said. “In my case, at your feet.”
Baltimore’s second-ranked defence was the differencemaker. Terrell Suggs had two sacks and forced two fumbles, and the Bengals gained only 64 yards on the ground.
Baltimore had something to do with it, but Cincinnati was playing without running back Giovani Bernard and wide receiver A.J. Green, both of whom were injured last week in a loss to Buffalo. Bernard was lost for the season with a torn ACL and Green sustained a hamstring injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
STREAK BREAKER
The Ravens’ skid against the Bengals began in 2013 and included four straight defeats by a total of 22 points.
“I’m really happy for the older guys who had been on that losing streak,” rookie cornerback Tavon Young said. “They took it seriously all week, knowing we had to beat Cincinnati to have any shot at the division.”
UP NEXT
Bengals: Eagles visit Cincinnati to resume a series the Bengals lead 8-3-1.
Ravens: The Ravens play their penultimate home game next Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
YOU WANT THE BALL IN YOUR HANDS. IN MY CASE, AT YOUR FEET.