The Ravens responded strongly to last week’s offensive struggles, building a 13-0 halftime lead over the Bengals behind Tyler Huntley, Zay Flowers, and a defense that repeatedly disrupted Joe Burrow.
Baltimore outgained Cincinnati 258-59 and controlled the ball for 22:20, keeping the Bengals’ offense on the sideline for much of the half. Huntley completed 15 of 21 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his third consecutive start with Lamar Jackson sidelined.
The Ravens stayed in control, but penalties and missed red-zone opportunities kept the lead from growing even larger. Here are the first-half takeaways.
Tyler Huntley delivers on third down
Baltimore converted eight of 11 third downs, repeatedly overcoming difficult situations to extend possessions.
Huntley
helped convert third-and-13 and third-and-16, finding answers even when penalties pushed the offense backward. Ja’Kobi Lane caught two for 19 yards, and Rashod Bateman’s lone reception gained 18 yards on another key third-down conversion.
After scoring just 10 points against Cleveland, the Ravens sustained 18- and 13-play drives that produced second-quarter field goals.
Zay Flowers supplies the explosive production
Flowers turned a short third-and-nine pass into a 48-yard touchdown, following blocks from teammates before accelerating through Cincinnati’s defense.
He finished the half with six receptions for 120 yards on seven targets, accounting for more than half of Huntley’s passing yardage. His production gave Baltimore an explosive complement to its extended possessions.
The Ravens needed those gains because their running game remained limited. Derrick Henry carried 13 times for 32 yards, and Baltimore averaged 2.9 yards per carry on 17 rushing attempts.
Baltimore makes Joe Burrow uncomfortable
The Ravens held Burrow to six completions on 12 attempts for 43 yards, with Cincinnati producing just three first downs.
Baltimore recorded five quarterback hits, including one from K’Von Wallace, who started with Jaylinn Hawkins unavailable. Wallace also delivered a third-down tackle on Chase Brown and led the Ravens with three tackles.
Kyle Hamilton contributed a tackle for loss, while Mike Green recorded Baltimore’s only sack to help end Cincinnati’s final possession. Ja’Marr Chase had two catches for 23 yards, and Tee Higgins did not record a reception.
Penalties keep points off the board
Baltimore committed six penalties for 35 yards, including repeated pre-snap mistakes.
Matt Hibner's false start disrupted a fourth-and-one opportunity at Cincinnati’s 11-yard line, leading to Loop’s 34-yard field goal. Loop later connected from 24 yards, but Baltimore finished the half without a touchdown on two red-zone possessions.
The Ravens overcame many of their mistakes. They still left Cincinnati within two possessions entering a third quarter in which the Bengals received the opening kickoff.
Vega Ioane’s injury threatens offensive line continuity
Ioane left with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to return. Emery Jones Jr. replaced him at right guard.
Baltimore continued moving the ball after the change, but Ioane’s availability remains an important second-half storyline as the Ravens try to protect their lead and improve their rushing efficiency.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Tyler Huntley, Zay Flowers power Ravens to commanding first-half lead
