Ravens poised for stretch drive; Bengals’ run is a stretch

A game, of course, cannot end on a defensive penalty, but the Ravens were technically playing offense until Koch actually punts the football so there is no recourse to extend the game and give Cincinnati one more untimed play and a chance to pull off the miracle. This team isn’t that different from the others who made the playoffs and exited quickly, except that this year they found their aggravating paths to defeat during the regular season. Yet Flacco’s issues extend beyond mere depth of passes. If they’re going to outlast the Steelers and win their first AFC North title since 2012, their offense is going to have to find a way to be more consistent and explosive. His touchdown percentage (2.4) falls a full point behind last year’s mark and less than half his 2014 figure.

A benefit of the no-huddle offense, in addition to limiting what the defense can do from a substitution standpoint, is that it simplifies the system for the offensive players. The one win is over the no-win Browns.

The second came with 1:05 remaining and the Bengals driving for a potential game-tying touchdown.

In every way, Cincinnati is headed the wrong direction at the wrong time of year to make a playoff push. If that happens, it’s a good bet that he will simply shrug it off and get ready for the next one. His nine targets ranked second on the Bengals behind Tyler Eifert’s 11.

Tucker connected from 52, 57 and 54 yards to stake the Ravens to a 16-3 halftime lead. He opted for the punt team, which resulted in a touchback, and explain his decision by saying “we had a chance to pin them back there” and “I have a lot of confidence in (Matt Darr) to put that thing inside the 5”.

The Baltimore Ravens ended Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals in peculiar fashion. With five weeks left, it might seem as though such an irregularity should correct itself before the postseason arrives. The Ravens always play it tight with division rivals (or any team). That’s the preferred formula rather than being forced to lean on Tucker and the defense to close out games. “I tried to mention that was the best safety ever taken and what I meant was it was the best-executed safety ever because we kept him clean the whole time”, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

Every ideal Tucker kick is sure to include more locker-room humor, more airings of his multi-faceted Royal Farms commercials and more of an overall presence from one of the most charismatic athletes to come through Baltimore.

Joe Flacco hit Breshad Perriman for a first-quarter TD, then relied on the foot of Tucker, in a game in which Baltimore never trailed.

Ravens hadn’t beaten the Cincinnati Bengals since November 2013, so it shouldn’t be surprising that when they finally broke the losing streak, it didn’t come easy. Perhaps, but their track record suggests they won’t. When active, Brown has played mostly special teams and rarely seen any defensive snaps.