2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Titans make another statement, Chiefs continue free fall
By Randy Gurzi
10. team. 26. . . Previous: 3rd. Baltimore Ravens
NFL Power Rankings: Top 10
This was not what the Baltimore Ravens expected. Coming into the weekend at 5-1, they were hosting the young Cincinnati Bengals who were 4-2 but had not yet scored a signature win. That changed when they knocked Baltimore off 41-17 in front of their home crowd.
The loss means the Ravens are no longer alone in first place in the AFC North but instead are tied with the Bengals —‚ who own the tiebreaker right now due to the win. It was a tough loss for Baltimore and it was also the first time Lamar Jackson lost in October ‚— as well as his first loss to the Bengals.
Jackson struggled in this game as the Bengals defense sacked him five times and pressured him into completing less than 50 percent of his passes. He did have 257 yards through the air and 88 on the ground but he just couldn’t get them in the end zone too often.
Worse than that was the play of their defense. They had no answers for Joe Burrow (416 yards and three touchdowns) or Ja’Marr Chase (eight receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown). They also surrendered two scores to C.J. Uzomah and two rushing scores as both Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine got in on the fun.
It’s not the end of the world for the Ravens but it’s a reminder that they have some real competition in their division.