Ravens Season Ends in Wild-Card Round
The Baltimore Ravens 2022 season has come to an end in the AFC Wild-Card round at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals by a final of 24-17. Without an injured Lamar Jackson backup Tyler Huntley got his first career playoff start and did his best to help the Ravens secure the upset.
Huntley has his best game of the season, since taking over for Jackson six weeks ago. Huntley was 17-26 throwing for 226 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Huntley also used his legs rushing nine times for 54 yards including a long of 35 yards that set the Ravens up deep in Bengals territory.
But even with Huntley playing at a high level it just wasn’t enough to defeat the defending AFC champions. The Bengals took a quick 3-0 lead. driving right down the field on their first drive. Huntley would make his first mistake on the Ravens first offensive possession, throwing an interception to Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither.
The Bengals would turn that Huntley interception into points as Burrow found his go to target, Ja’Marr Chase for a seven-yard touchdown. A missed Evan McPherson point after would give the Bengals a 9-0 lead early into the second quarter.
But Huntley and the Ravens would respond with a touchdown drive of their own. J.K. Dobbins would cap off a 17-play 75 yard drive that took just over 10 minutes of game time, with a two-yard rushing score to cut the Bengals lead 9-7.
A Kyle Hamilton forced fumble on former Ravens Hayden Hurst on the Bengals following possession, put all the momentum on the Ravens side. The Ravens could only muster a field goal off the Bengals turnover, but was key in giving the Ravens a 10-9 lead into halftime.
The Bengals would regain the lead on a Joe Burrow one-yard sneak on their first possession of the second half following a Ravens three and out to open the third quarter.
But once again Huntley would respond. On a double move that beat Bengals cornerback Eli Apple, Huntley found a wide open Demarcus Robinson for a 41-yard touchdown to tie the game back up at 17.
A Bengals three and out on their next possession gave the Ravens the chance to regain the lead heading into the fourth quarter. Huntley quickly moved the Ravens down into Bengals territory finding a wide open Mark Andrews for 25-yards, then on the following play using his legs to scramble for 35-yards down to the Bengals two yard line. An incomplete pass, followed by a Gus Edwards one-yard run set up third and goal from the Bengals one yards line.
What would happen next would be the turning point and ultimately the difference in the game. Huntley went under center, taking the snap for a likely quarterback sneak. But instead of going underneath, Huntley tried to jump over the top extending the ball to break the plane of the goal line. The ball was knocked out of Huntley’s hand going backwards into the Ravens backfield before being picked up by Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard, who would take the fumble all the way back for a 98-yard touchdown for the Bengals.
With over 10 minutes remaining, the game was in no way over but for many that touchdown all but sealed the Bengals victory.
After trading punts the Ravens had one last chance to tie the game up and send the game to overtime. With just over three minutes and two timeouts, the Ravens began their drive at the Bengals 46 yard line. But as was the theme for most of 2022, mismanagement of the game clock would leave the Ravens with one last desperation shot to tie the game. With just eight seconds left, and fourth and 20 from the Bengals 27 yard line. Huntley dropped back to pass, stumbling backwards before heaving the ball towards the end zone. The pass was tipped upwards nearly being caught by the outstretched and diving hands of James Proche II, but sadly for the Ravens hopeful the ball would hit the ground.
As the Bengals celebrated on the field, the Ravens knew their 2022 season was over.
With the season now over the Ravens now turn their attention to the offseason, an offseason that is expected to be one of the most active offseason’s in Ravens history. What is Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore? Will the Ravens make a move for a top level receiver? What pending free agents will the Ravens look to retain? What coaching staff changes will be made? All these questions are likely to be answered this offseason and could have major effects on this team moving forward into 2023.
Stay tuned here all offseason long for the latest breaking Ravens news.
Game Notes:
Tyler Hunltey threw for a season high two touchdowns.
Kyle Hamilton led all Ravens with nine total tackles.
Mark Andrews had a career playoff high of 73 yards receiving.
J.K. Dobbins led all rushers with 62 yards.
Ravens are only the second playoff team in the last 15 seasons to rush for 150-plus yards and allow fewer than 250 yards in a loss. The only other team to do so was the Ravens in the 2020 divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.
