Baltimore Ravens fans have grown all too accustomed to their team blowing seemingly insurmountable leads over the years, but Sunday’s 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was truly something else.
The Ravens (now 4-3) hosted their AFC North rivals at M&T Bank Stadium for a pivotal Week 7 clash. And for 30 minutes, it looked like backup quarterback Tyler Huntley would lead his squad to a statement victory.
But once again, the wheels came off in the second half. Baltimore was outscored 35-0 in the second half, with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow tossing four touchdown passes in Cincinnati’s blowout victory.
And with Sunday’s humiliating defeat, the Ravens made the wrong kind of NFL history.
According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, the Ravens became the first NFL team since 1950 to lose by 20-plus points after leading by 13 or more points after two quarters.
Fittingly, the last team to suffer a loss in this fashion was the Baltimore Colts, who lost 55-20 to the New York Giants on Nov. 19, 1950, after holding a 20-7 halftime lead. The 1950 Colts finished the season with a 1-11 record.
Though they’re still above .500, the Ravens sit last in the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are tied for first place with identical 5-2 records, with the Bengals right behind them at 4-2.
Ravens Face Must-Win Situation vs. Bills In Week 8
Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
Things don’t get much easier for the Ravens, who will now play host to Josh Allen and the 5-1 Buffalo Bills in Week 8.
Buffalo is coming off a bye week and has won four of its last five meetings against the Ravens. With eight other AFC teams boasting winning records, the Ravens’ playoff hopes would take a giant hit with a loss to the Bills.
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