If you like defensive struggles and punting competitions, the Bengals vs Ravens 2024 series was absolutely not for you. Honestly, it was a nightmare for defensive coordinators and a fever dream for fantasy football owners. Over the course of two games, these teams combined for 148 points.
Think about that for a second. That's not just high-scoring; it's practically a basketball score.
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What's wild is that the Cincinnati Bengals played nearly perfect offensive football in both matchups and still walked away with two losses. They had the lead in the fourth quarter of both games. They had the best receiver on the planet performing like a video game character. And yet, the Baltimore Ravens found a way to sweep the season series by a combined total of four points. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder if Joe Burrow ever wants to see Lamar Jackson again.
The Week 5 Overtime Heartbreak at Paycor
The first meeting in Cincinnati was a 41-38 shootout that basically broke the scoreboard. Joe Burrow threw for 392 yards and five touchdowns. Usually, when your quarterback does that, you win by three scores. But the Bengals' defense couldn't find an answer for the Ravens' multi-headed monster.
Lamar Jackson was doing Lamar things—scrambling for 55 yards and throwing for 348 and four scores. But the real story was the arrival of Derrick Henry in this rivalry. He didn't have a massive volume day, but he was efficient, and that 51-yard run in overtime basically set the table for Justin Tucker to do what he always does: ruin a Sunday in Cincinnati.
Wait, I should mention the "fumble." In overtime, after a Bengals takeaway gave them the ball in prime position, Evan McPherson had a chance to win it. A botched snap and a missed field goal later, the door stayed open. Tucker didn't miss his 24-yarder. Game over.
Why Bengals vs Ravens 2024 Was the Ja’Marr Chase Show
If there is one person who probably feels personally victimized by the Ravens' wins, it's Ja’Marr Chase. The dude was untouchable. In the two games against Baltimore this season, Chase put up numbers that don't even look real.
- Week 5: 10 catches, 193 yards, 2 touchdowns.
- Week 10: 11 catches, 264 yards, 3 touchdowns.
That is 457 yards in two games against a single opponent. That’s an NFL record. He wasn't just catching short slants, either. He was taking 70-yard bombs to the house and outrunning the entire Baltimore secondary. Watching him in Week 10 on Thursday Night Football was like watching a track star play against a high school team. Every time the Ravens scored, Burrow just looked at Chase and said, "Go get it," and he did.
The Thursday Night Madness and the Two-Point Gamble
The second game in Baltimore (Week 10) was arguably the game of the year. The Bengals led 21-7 in the third quarter. They were dominating. Then, the Ravens woke up. Specifically, Tylan Wallace happened.
You’ve probably seen the highlight—Wallace tip-toeing the sideline for an 84-yard touchdown. It was one of those plays where the Bengals' defenders all looked at each other like, "Wait, he's still in bounds?" That play shifted the entire energy of M&T Bank Stadium.
But the real drama came down to the final minute. After Burrow led a frantic drive to get within one point (35-34) with 38 seconds left, Zac Taylor made a choice. He went for two. He didn't want another overtime. He wanted to end it right then and there.
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The pass to Tanner Hudson fell incomplete. There were some "uncalled" defensive holding or personal foul penalties—depending on who you ask in Cincinnati—but the refs kept the flags in their pockets. The Ravens survived 35-34.
Breaking Down the Lamar vs. Burrow Paradox
People always argue about who is better. Honestly? They are just different flavors of elite.
Lamar Jackson is the ultimate "how did he do that?" player. In the 2024 matchups, his ability to extend plays when the pocket collapsed was the difference. He finished the season as a top MVP candidate because he wasn't just a runner anymore; he was carving the Bengals' zone defense like a surgeon.
Joe Burrow, on the other hand, was the model of efficiency. In those two games, he threw for over 800 yards. He was playing the position as well as it can be played. The problem? The Bengals' defense was historically bad in "crunch time." They allowed Baltimore to score on four straight possessions in the second half of the Thursday night game. You can't ask a quarterback to score 40 points every week just to have a 50/50 chance of winning.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the 2024 Season Series
A lot of folks look at the 2-0 sweep by Baltimore and think the Ravens just "owned" the Bengals. That’s a bit of a stretch.
If three plays go the other way—a snap in overtime or a two-point conversion—the Bengals are the ones with the sweep. The gap between these two teams in 2024 was thinner than a sheet of paper. Baltimore won because they have a kicker who is a lock for the Hall of Fame and a defense that, while vulnerable, made the one play they needed (Marlon Humphrey’s forced fumble on Chase Brown in Week 10).
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or analyzing the next time these two meet, keep these things in mind:
- Ignore the "Defensive" Stats: Forget what the rankings say. When these two play, the over is almost always the play. The familiarity between the two coaching staffs seems to favor the offenses lately.
- Watch the Safety Help: Baltimore struggled to bracket Ja’Marr Chase all season. Until they prove they can stop the deep ball, Burrow will keep taking those shots.
- The Derrick Henry Factor: The Ravens' offense is now balanced. In years past, you just had to contain Lamar. Now, if you sell out to stop Lamar, Henry will gash you for 6 yards a carry until you're exhausted.
- Cincinnati's Red Zone Aggression: Expect Zac Taylor to continue being aggressive. He knows he can't beat Baltimore by kicking field goals.
The 2024 chapter of the Bengals-Ravens rivalry proved that the AFC North still runs through these two quarterbacks. While Baltimore took the trophies this year, the Bengals proved they have the firepower to keep the Ravens looking over their shoulders. It was messy, it was high-octane, and it was exactly why we watch football.