Ravens' Thanksgiving Game Highlights Turnover Troubles

The Baltimore Ravens faced a significant setback in their Thanksgiving game against the Cincinnati Bengals, primarily due to their troubling turnover issues. The Ravens' offense managed to score only 14 points while committing a staggering five turnovers, which included four lost fumbles and an interception. According to Baltimore Beatdown, quarterback Lamar Jackson had a particularly rough outing, losing two fumbles in the first half, including one that occurred during his throwing motion without any contact from defenders. While Jackson did lead the team on an opening drive that resulted in a touchdown, the turnovers quickly became a substantial issue for the Ravens.

The Ravens' offensive line struggled throughout the game, allowing Jackson to be sacked twice and hit five times. The Bengals exploited these weaknesses by applying heavy blitz packages and successfully forcing multiple turnovers. The Ravens' rookie offensive lineman, Emery Jones Jr., made his debut during this game but struggled in his performance. The offensive struggles extended to the wide receivers, who collectively managed only 31 receiving yards, with Zay Flowers particularly having a tough game, catching just two passes for six yards and losing a fumble late in the fourth quarter.

Tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely provided some production, but it was overshadowed by costly mistakes. Likely had a season-high five catches for 95 yards but lost a fumble just before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback and giving possession back to the Bengals. This incident exemplified the Ravens' issues, as missed opportunities piled up. Furthermore, Jackson's interception in the red zone, a result of a deflected pass at the line of scrimmage, effectively ended any chance of a comeback in the final moments of the game.

Defensively, the Ravens had their moments, particularly in the first half, but ultimately wore down as the game progressed. The Bengals managed to rush for 128 yards, a surprising statistic given their struggles in the run game prior to this matchup. Defensive players like Roquan Smith had standout performances, but without significant support from the offense, the defense couldn't maintain momentum.

Overall, the Ravens' Thanksgiving game underscored their ongoing turnover troubles, which have become a concerning trend. The failed opportunities and turnovers not only cost them the game but also raised questions about their ability to perform under pressure. As they move forward, addressing these turnover issues will be crucial for the Ravens if they hope to regain their footing in the competitive AFC North.