Cincinnati Bengals: Recapping the Road to 5-0

Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) catches a pass over Baltimore Ravens defensive back Kyle Arrington (24) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated Baltimore Ravens 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Week Three: at Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals’ division opener was yet another test for this team. Baltimore entered the day 0-2, two games behind the division-leading Bengals. If Baltimore was going to get back on track, it was imperative for the Ravens to win this home matchup against a division foe. But as we know, the Bengals had other plans.

The Bengals offense jumped out to a 14-0 lead into going into halftime and Andy Dalton was again an integral part of Cincinnati’s first-half success. It wasn’t until the second half that it almost all seemed to fall apart. The Bengals’ defense fell apart and the offensive line allowed Andy Dalton to be strip-sacked; the Ravens then returned the fumble for a touchdown. After being down 0-14 in the first half, the Ravens had somehow taken the lead. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green immediately responded with an 80-yard touchdown hookup, and after the Ravens torched Cincinnati’s defense once again, Dalton led Cincinnati to yet another touchdown drive. This drive, however, would seal the deal; the Bengals came out on top.

Cincinnati’s defense was concerning in this game. Despite a great first half, the unit crumbled in the second half. The Ravens’ offense scored 10 points in the third quarter before the fumble gave Baltimore the lead. Once the Bengals had the lead back, they could not hold it; the defense looked like it was going to lose the game for Cincinnati. The Ravens walked down the field with ease, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal on the day. Baltimore’s defense scored a touchdown as well. Cincinnati had obvious room for improvement in this game, so the near-loss served as an eye-opener for the Bengals. Cincinnati would need to be better as their schedule would get tougher.

Bengals hold on 28-24 in Baltimore.

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