Five Turnovers Lead to End of Ravens’ Five-Game Winning Streak
There was a lot of discussion about Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s surgically-repaired toe heading into Thursday night’s game in Baltimore, but the Ravens repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot was the story of the game.
The Ravens committed five turnovers, their most in a game since 2013 and most in a home game since 2007. Conversely, Burrow played a clean game in his first action since suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2.
It was a recipe for a 32-14 defeat on Thanksgiving for the Ravens, whose five-game winning streak was ended by a team that had lost four in a row and eight of their past nine, and was missing their best defensive player (edge rusher Trey Hendrickson) and one of their top offensive players (wide receiver Tee Higgins).
The surprising loss knocked the Ravens (6-6) out of a first-place tie in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and come to Baltimore in Week 14.
The Ravens’ most costly turnover was a momentum-shifting fumble by tight end Isaiah Likely in the second quarter on what initially appeared to be a 44-yard touchdown catch. Likely reached the ball out and Bengals safety Jordan Battle knocked away the ball, which rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.
Lamar Jackson was responsible for three of the turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) and didn’t throw a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game, the longest drought of his career.