The Baltimore Ravens lost 32-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving, snapping a five-game winning streak with five turnovers, three from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson completed 17 of 32 passes for 246 yards but threw an interception and lost two fumbles. The defeat leaves the Ravens at 6-6, a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
The Ravens entered the Thanksgiving matchup leading the AFC North but struggled with ball security in a 32-14 defeat to the Bengals, who snapped their own four-game losing streak. Baltimore turned the ball over five times, putting their defense in difficult positions throughout the game.
Lamar Jackson accounted for three of those turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception, while going three consecutive starts without a touchdown pass or rushing score. Over his last three games, Jackson has six turnovers and no touchdowns through the air or on the ground. He finished 17 of 32 for 246 yards but admitted to missing throws he typically makes. "I've just got to be consistent," Jackson said. "Can't have turnovers in any game. Two fumbles and an interception. We got to be consistent. We're putting our defense on the field too much. Can't have that."
Head coach John Harbaugh emphasized the importance of protecting the football, taking responsibility for the team's lapses. "We had a bad game with that," Harbaugh said. "We did not protect the football. It's not good. It's on me. I'm a coach, and my job is to make it clear to the guys that that's not OK. You put the ball away. You protect the football... That's what wins and loses games."
Despite recent injuries including a hamstring that caused him to miss three midseason games, plus issues with his knee and toe, Jackson denied that health problems affected his performance. The Ravens have relied heavily on running back Derrick Henry, who scored the team's first touchdown and has four rushing scores over the last three games.
With the loss, Baltimore drops to 6-6 and now trails the Steelers, who also sit at 6-6 but hold the edge via the record against common opponents tiebreaker. The Ravens have a week off before facing Pittsburgh on December 7 in a key divisional matchup. "Everything we want to accomplish is still in front of us," Harbaugh said. "Every game stands alone. This one we'll put behind us."