Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time

In a Thursday Night Football showdown that shocked NFL fans and analysts alike, the Cincinnati Bengals pulled off a 34-27 upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens—one of the league’s top teams entering the 2025 season. The Ravens, riding a six-game win streak and boasting the NFL’s third-ranked defense, were heavy favorites to dominate a Bengals team that had struggled with inconsistency (4-5 record entering the game). But Cincinnati, led by quarterback Joe Burrow’s precision passing and a resilient defense that forced critical turnovers, defied expectations to secure a statement win. Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time explores the game’s defining plays, the Bengals’ strategic adjustments, and how this win reshaped the AFC playoff picture. For Cincinnati, this wasn’t just a regular-season victory—it was a reminder of their 2022 Super Bowl-caliber potential, while the Ravens were left to regroup after their first loss in over a month.

Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time begins with the game’s opening quarter, where the Bengals set the tone by ignoring the Ravens’ defensive reputation and attacking early. On their first drive, Burrow orchestrated a 12-play, 80-yard march that ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Hurst—marking the first time the Ravens had allowed a opening-drive touchdown in six weeks. Burrow, who had been sidelined with a calf injury earlier in the season, looked sharp from the start, completing 7 of 8 passes for 65 yards on the drive. What stood out most was Cincinnati’s willingness to target the Ravens’ secondary, which had allowed the fewest passing yards per game in the NFL. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who entered the game with just two touchdowns in 2025, caught three passes for 40 yards on the opening drive alone, using his speed to beat Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a key third-down conversion. “We knew the Ravens would stack the box to stop the run, so we came out firing,” Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said after the game. “Joe [Burrow] was locked in, and our receivers made plays when it counted. That first drive set the momentum for the entire night.” For the Ravens, the slow start was a warning sign—one they failed to fully address as the game progressed.

A critical turning point in the game came in the second quarter, when the Bengals’ defense delivered a momentum-shifting stop that halted a Ravens rally. Baltimore had cut Cincinnati’s lead to 14-10 and was driving deep into Bengals territory, with quarterback Lamar Jackson looking to take the lead. On 3rd-and-2 from the Bengals’ 12-yard line, Jackson attempted a read-option run, but Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard shed a block and tackled Jackson for a 3-yard loss—forcing the Ravens to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown. The stop kept the Bengals ahead by 4 points, and Cincinnati responded immediately with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 20-yard pass from Burrow to Chase, who outleaped Humphrey for the catch in the end zone. This sequence—defensive stop followed by offensive explosion—was a masterclass in how to counter a team as dynamic as the Ravens. “That stop by Sam [Hubbard] was huge,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “The Ravens were gaining steam, and we needed to shut that down. Our defense stepped up when we needed them most, and then our offense capitalized. That’s how you win big games.” Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time notes that this wasn’t an isolated play: the Bengals’ defense finished the game with three sacks and two forced fumbles, limiting Jackson’s ability to extend plays with his legs—a key part of the Ravens’ offensive identity.

Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time also delves into the third quarter, where the Bengals extended their lead and the Ravens began to show signs of frustration. Cincinnati opened the second half with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by running back Joe Mixon, pushing the lead to 28-13. The drive was notable for its balance: Burrow completed 5 of 6 passes for 45 yards, while Mixon added 23 rushing yards, keeping the Ravens’ defense off-balance. For the Baltimore Ravens, this was a critical moment to respond—but their offense sputtered. Jackson, who had been efficient in the first half (12 of 18 passes for 150 yards), began to force plays, including a deep pass that was intercepted by Bengals safety Jessie Bates III midway through the quarter. The interception marked Jackson’s first pick in four games and gave the Bengals possession at their own 40-yard line. While Cincinnati didn’t score on the ensuing drive, the interception halted the Ravens’ momentum and forced Baltimore to play from behind for the rest of the game. “We knew Lamar [Jackson] would try to make plays to get back in it,” Bates said. “Our job was to stay disciplined and not let him beat us with big plays. That interception was a result of everyone doing their job—coverage downfield, pressure up front.”

The fourth quarter saw the Ravens mount a late rally, but the Bengals’ poise under pressure sealed the win. Baltimore scored two touchdowns in the final 8 minutes, cutting the Bengals’ lead to 34-27 with 1:15 remaining. The Ravens then recovered an onside kick, giving them possession at their own 45-yard line with a chance to tie or win the game. However, on the first play of the drive, Jackson attempted a pass to wide receiver Zay Flowers, but Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt broke up the pass. On second down, Jackson was sacked by Hubbard for the second time in the game, pushing the Ravens back to their own 35-yard line. On third down, Jackson’s pass to tight end Mark Andrews was incomplete, forcing a fourth down—and when Jackson’s final pass fell incomplete, the Bengals secured the victory. For the Baltimore Ravens, the late collapse was a bitter reminder of the importance of consistency. Jackson finished the game with 310 passing yards and two touchdowns, but his two turnovers (one interception, one fumble) proved costly. “We didn’t play our best football tonight,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. “Credit to the Bengals—they executed better than we did. We had chances to win, but we made too many mistakes. That’s on us, and we’ll fix it.”

Bengals Upset Victory Over the Baltimore Ravens on Prime Time concludes with the impact of the win on both teams’ playoff aspirations. For the Bengals, the victory improved their record to 5-5 and kept them in the hunt for a wild-card spot in the AFC. It also reestablished Burrow and Chase as one of the league’s top quarterback-receiver duos—Burrow finished with 345 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Chase had 12 catches for 155 yards and two scores. For the Baltimore Ravens, the loss snapped their six-game win streak but didn’t knock them out of first place in the AFC North (they remained at 8-2). However, it exposed vulnerabilities in their defense—specifically, their ability to stop elite passing offenses—and raised questions about their ability to handle pressure in big games. Beyond the standings, the game was a reminder of the NFL’s unpredictability: no team, no matter how dominant, is safe from an upset. “This win means everything to our team,” Taylor said. “We’ve been through a lot this season—injuries, inconsistencies—but tonight, we showed what we’re capable of. This is a building block for the rest of the season.” As the NFL season enters its final stretch, the Bengals’ upset over the Ravens will likely be remembered as one of the most memorable games of 2025—a testament to the power of resilience and execution on the prime-time stage.