A tale of turnovers Seeking an offensive answer

The Ravens had more rushing yards, more passing yards, more first downs, more yards per play and fewer penalty yards than the Bengals last week. They also had fewer points.

Turnovers doomed Baltimore, as interceptions from third-string quarterback Anthony Brown twice gave the Bengals the ball on Baltimore’s half of the field in the game’s first 15 minutes, setting up short touchdown drives. A fumble by Brown in the end zone then gave the Bengals another score, as the Ravens finished with four turnovers to Cincinnati’s one.

“I thought [Brown] did pretty darn good once he got settled in,” Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said, “but it’s a 60-minute game and some of those mistakes early really cost us.”

Winning the turnover margin typically gives an NFL team a 75% chance to win the game. This season, it’s been especially critical. In Ravens games, the team with a positive turnover differential has won 87% of the time (13 of 15; the Ravens and their opponent had an equal number of turnovers twice).

The Ravens’ four turnovers Sunday were the most in a game this season.

The Ravens have averaged a mere 12.5 points per game since Jackson’s injury, among the lowest in the league.

Harbaugh said Friday he did not yet know who would start at quarterback today. Huntley is in line to start and said his injured shoulder feels as if it’s 90 to 99% healthy, but he’s still a gametime decision. If he’s unavailable, Brown would start again.

Regardless of whether Huntley or Brown plays, a win would likely require a more complete offensive effort than the Ravens have seen in recent weeks.

Right guard Kevin Zeitler said “everyone has to play better.”

“We know it’s a heck of an opponent on a heck of a streak and you have to bring our ‘A’ game; that’s the only way you can do it in the playoffs,” he said. “You have to bring your ‘A’ game every week, and this is stop one.”

Except for Jackson, the Ravens’ offense is in fairly good health, as running back J.K. Dobbins rested last week and backfield partner Gus Edwards is set to return after clearing concussion protocol. But that qualifier — except for Jackson — carries a lot of weight. Jackson has become synonymous with Baltimore’s offense.