The Baltimore Ravens improved to 6-5 after beating the Cincinnati Bengals 19-14 at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. Here are highlights and key players from Week 12’s game.
A turnover-binging defense and the boot of kicker Justin Tucker sent the Baltimore Ravens on their way to a key win in the AFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton lost two fumbles and was sacked three times by a smothering Baltimore D’. Meanwhile, Tucker boomed a hat-trick of field goals from 50-plus yards to help the Ravens build a 16-3 halftime lead.
Dalton fought back after the break, though. He hit tight end Tyler Eifert from three yards out and Mike Nugent kicked his second field goal.
The Ravens willingly took a safety when punter Sam Koch stepped out of bounds to complete the scoring.
Three Stars
1. Justin Tucker
Tucker made NFL history with his first-half display, according to the league’s communication director Randall Liu:
Justin Tucker is the 1st K in NFL history to make 3 FGs of 50+ yards in the 1st half of a game pic.twitter.com/HnTl0Fnvfc
— Randall Liu (@RLiuCBS) November 27, 2016
Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk put Tucker’s achievement into context:
Justin Tucker has three field goals of 52+ yards in the first half. There are 12 NFL teams that don't have a 52+ yarder yet this season.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 27, 2016
By the time Tucker kicked his fourth field goal, he’d set another mark, per NFL Research:
.@Ravens Justin Tucker has made 4 field goals vs the Bengals. His 11th game with 4+ FG since entering the NFL in 2012 (most in NFL)@jtuck9
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 27, 2016
Tucker has become an invaluable weapon while the Ravens offense has been beset with problems. Their passing game is sketchy, the running game is non-existent.
But the Ravens can always count on Tucker.
2. Elvis Dumervil
He’s been inactive for the last six games, but Elvis Dumervil returned with a vengeance this week. The outstanding pass-rusher sacked Dalton and forced a fumble as part of a game-wrecking display off the edge.
Dumervil’s return also helped others thrive. The attention he drew from the Bengals meant more one-on-one matchups for fellow edge-rusher Terrell Suggs. He helped himself to a pair of sacks.
Dumervil makes the Ravens a better defense. With booked pass-rushers causing havoc either side of an imposing D-line, offenses should fear this team.
3. Tyler Eifert
With no A.J. Green to aim for, Dalton needed his other weapons to step up. Eifert was one of the few who did.
The fleet-footed tight end snagged five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. More important than numbers, Eifert showed his value as a receiver who can stretch the inside passing lanes and create big plays over the middle.
Keeping him healthy will be key for the Cincinnati offense.
Next: Fantasy football Week 12 rankings: Who to start and sit
Jernigan often acts as a lone down lineman in psycho-style amoeba fronts. His power in the middle occupies blockers and creates free rushing lanes for standing rushers. Expect Jernigan to toy with a below-par Cincinnati O-line.
Next Week
The Ravens will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. Meanwhile, Cincinnati will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Paul Brown Stadium.