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Takeaways and highlights from first half as Ravens hold a 21-10 lead over Bengals

glenn erby
·7 min read

Lamar Jackson was 12-of-19 for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, but the Ravens rushed for only 30 yards, while the Bengals had 55, as Baltimore led 21-10.

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews logged two catches for 23 yards before exiting with what looked like a high ankle sprain.

For Cincinnati, star quarterback Joe Burrow exited the game with a wrist and hand injury, and the Bengals will be forced to roll with former Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning in the second half.

With the Big Boi performance ending and the second half set to begin, here are takeaways and highlights from the first half.

Mark Andrews on the board

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/baltimore/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Baltimore Ravens;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Baltimore Ravens</a> tight end Mark Andrews (89) runs after a catch during the first quarter against <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/cincinnati/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Cincinnati Bengals;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Cincinnati Bengals</a> linebacker <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32735" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Logan Wilson;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Logan Wilson</a> (55) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With Baltimore wanting to start the game efficiently, Lamar Jackson hooked up with is favorite target for a 14-yard gain.

Update:

Andrews suffered an ugly ankle injury after a questionable tackle from Logan Wilson and he’s been ruled out. 

Zay Flowers explosion

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs against Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill (23) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs against Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill (23) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The rookie from Boston College turned a whip route into an explosive 33 yard gain, as OC Todd Monken is getting his weapons involved early.

Flowers had 2 catches for 37 yards in the first half.

Gus Edwards touchdown machine

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) and offensive tackle <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/27594" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Morgan Moses;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Morgan Moses</a> (78) celebrate after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Another game for Edwards equals another touchdown for the talented running back.

Jadeveon Clowney

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Tavius Robinson gets on the board

Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The rookie linebacker had two tackle, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 QB sack in the first half.

Lamar Jackson scary moment

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29510" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Mike Hilton;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Mike Hilton</a> #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackles Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Jackson logged 206 total yards in the first half, but it almost ended before it started.

Ravens missing deep

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The only thing missing from Jackson’s game is the consistent deep ball.

Keaton Mitchell

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/30216" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Trey Hendrickson;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Trey Hendrickson</a> #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackles Keaton Mitchell #34 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

After head coach John Harbaugh said he’d see more carries, Mitchell had 3 carries for -4 yards in the first half.

Joe Burrow hand injury

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Burrow was 11-17 passing, for 101 yards and a touchdown before exiting with a hand injury.

Ja'Marr Chase

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32698" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Patrick Queen;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Patrick Queen</a> #6 and <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/30978" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Roquan Smith;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Roquan Smith</a> #0 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Chase has 1 catch for 10 yards on 5 targets.

Nelson Agholor

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Nelson Agholor #15 of the Baltimore Ravens does a flip in celebration after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Nelson Agholor #15 of the Baltimore Ravens does a flip in celebration after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Agholor got on the board with a 37 yard scoring catch off a tipped pass.

Odell Beckham

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Beckham had a strong first half, leading the Ravens with three catches for 65 yards and four targets.

Ravens RB carries

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore had the football for less than 15 minutes in the first half, and Ravens running backs saw 8 total carries, with Gus Edwards leading the way with 4 carries and a short rushing touchdown.

Rashod Bateman

(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

The former first round pick scored his first receiving touchdown of the season, logging a 10 yard grab with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half.

Story originally appeared on Ravens Wire