Now what? Bengals headed toward worst finish in 6 years

Or a statistical breakdown.

It is sad to see how far the AFC North has fallen.

By any objective measure, the Ravens possess numerous issues. However, he returned to action against the Bengals and made the biggest play of the day. We just always go with the game plan, and it’s running the ball, me in pass protection or Joe (Flacco) throwing the ball downfield.

However, even if Pittsburgh defeats the Ravens at Heinz Field on Christmas Day, this won’t guarantee a division title, not if both teams finish up at 10-6. “They are hard to come by, and if you can get them like that, then I’m all for it”. His touchdown percentage (2.4) falls a full point behind last year’s mark and less than half his 2014 figure. Only seven teams average less and only one of those teams – the Houston Texans – has a winning record.

Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Bengals dropped their eighth game of the season; seventh officially. Cincinnati’s defense is vulnerable to the run, permitting 123.4 yards per game. A good club can lose ground to one demonstrably worse all due to their respective divisions.

The second deflection resulted in Maualuga’s interception that set up the Bengals offense at the Baltimore 19 early in the second quarter.

Even with the best kicker in the National Football League, the Ravens offense needs to get better as the schedule gets tougher down the stretch.

“In order for us to take the next step and be a championship team, we’re not going to survive playing like that”, Flacco said.

Leading by a touchdown with the clock winding down, the Baltimore Ravens successfully ran out the game’s final 11 seconds on fourth down by intentionally committing holding penalties against all nine Cincinnati Bengalsplayers who rushed their punter, giving Sam Koch the time to dance around the end zone before finally conceding a safety. Cincinnati has won five of those eight games. With five weeks left, it might seem as though such an irregularity should correct itself before the postseason arrives. On Monday he was celebrating along with the rest of the Ravens and their fans. “It felt like a typical game against Baltimore, coming down to the end where we had a chance to win or tie it up”.

That moment came at the most crucial time to keep Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive.

In addition to wide receiver A.J. Green and safety Derron Smith, who were ruled out Friday, and running back Giovani Bernard, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday, the Bengals were without backup safety Shawn Williams and long snapper Clark Harris.

The script has been pretty much the same all season for the Ravens: An offense that shows brief flashes followed by long stretches of ineffectiveness is bailed out by a stalwart defense and by Justin Tucker’s right foot.

They rank 28th in rushing yards per game (27.8), 29th in yards per play (4.9) and dead last in third-down efficiency (33.3 percent).