Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter said his team is at a crossroads after a 35-13 loss to the Bengals on Sunday, a defeat that included the worst half in franchise history. "Right now, I think it's just a big point in the season for us to determine what type of team we want to be," Minter said.
In his first season with Baltimore, Minter has watched the Ravens slide from 4-1 and atop the AFC North to 4-3 and last place in the division. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third straight game with a high ankle sprain, and the Ravens have started 0-2 in the AFC North for the first time in 19 years.
The Ravens were outscored by 35 or more points in a half for the first time in their 31-year history. After leading 13-0 at halftime, Baltimore allowed Joe Burrow and the Bengals to score touchdowns on five of six second-half drives. ESPN Research noted the Ravens became the third team in NFL history to lose by 20 or more points after leading by 13 or more at halftime, joining the 1941 Eagles and the 1950 Colts. This was the NFL-worst 17th time since 2020 that Baltimore has blown a double-digit lead.
Minter said the team has become too much of a momentum team. "We're riding the wave when it's good, and we're riding the wave when it's bad." Problems include five pre-snap penalties on offense and no sacks or turnovers by the defense in the second half. Running back Derrick Henry said the team still believes in the group, while wide receiver Zay Flowers said, "We're not losing hope, man." Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley said the Ravens must focus on their own identity rather than the scoreboard.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing