Hello everyone, and welcome to The Baltimore Feather’s LIVE Article for Baltimore’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. In this LIVE Article, we will be commenting on the Ravens game against the Bengals, as it happens. So tune in during the game to get our raw take on Baltimore’s performance, along with reactions. So sit back, and get relaxed, as Ravens football is about to return!
1:03 PM EDT – We finally have made it to the season debut of the Ravens! Couldn’t wait for this all offseason!
1:09 PM EDT – The Ravens defense started strong against the Bengals. They allowed one 12 yard rush by Jeremy Hill for a first down early but were able to strap in and stop the Bengals quickly and force a punt.
1:24 PM EDT – The Ravens had an excellent drive on offense their first time out. For anyone who thought Flacco would be rusty, he was obviously not. Flacco threw 5/7 for 46 yards. The drive stalled out in the red zone though, and Justin Tucker had to kick a field goal to give the Ravens a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Danny Woodhead went down with a hamstring injury, and had to be carted to the lockerroom. I don’t want to assume things, but it doesn’t look good. His return is doubtful. The Ravens now only have 2 running backs active, Terrance West and Buck Allen.
1:32 PM EDT – The Bengals were moving down the field and into Ravens territory. That’s when Onwuasor tipped the ball and Brandon Carr went in to pick it off. Onwuasor is proving to be a potential starter for the Ravens, as they still aren’t completely set on Kamaeli Correa.
1:37 PM EDT – At the end of the first quarter, the Ravens lead it 3-0. Baltimore will be out for a third down play at the start of the second quarter.
1:40 PM EDT – The Ravens failed to capitalize on Carr’s interception, being forced to punt the ball around midfield.
1:52 PM EDT – Earlier on after the Ravens punted, linebacker Za’Darius Smith went down with a knee sprain, and was carted off the field. His return to the game is doubtful. The Ravens then were unable to stop the Bengals offense from moving down the field, as Cincinnati got into the redzone. However, C.J. Mosley came up clutch in the endzone and picked off Dalton’s pass. That gives Andy Dalton 2 picks on the day, both to linebackers.
1:56 PM EDT – Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins brought Joe Flacco down on a sack on third down. Disappointing for the offense to find no success after both picks, but it was nice to see Joe Flacco get up with ease after dealing with a back injury for most of the offseason.
2:03 PM EDT – Andy Dalton almost had a down the field play to A.J. Green that probably would’ve been a touchdown, if he threw it well. Fortunately for Baltimore, Dalton’s pass was way off target and out of bounds, saving the Ravens from a huge play by Cincinnati. Brandon Carr got beat bad on that play though, should be a one-time thing.
2:10 PM EDT – We hit the two-minute warning in Cincinnati. The Ravens all of a sudden started to move the ball down the field. Once they got into Bengals territory though, a flag on Nick Boyle set them back. Now third and 7 at the Bengals 48-yard line.
2:14 PM EDT – Jeremy Maclin hit it HUGE for a touchdown right after the two minute warning. Maclin ran a slant route down the middle of the field, virtually unopposed. He ran all the way down to the end zone for a 48-yard touchdown. Joe Flacco is having a great day so far after missing so much time in practice. Looks like the 10-year veteran figured it out himself.
2:19 PM EDT – What was a close game is now becoming an avalanche for the Bengals. Right after that Maclin touchdown, Andy Dalton threw his third pick of the day, this time to Lardarius Webb. Suggs had tipped it high in the air, and Webb snatched it out. He returned it to the 2-yard line, and Terrance West scored. Andy Dalton is getting booed in Cincinnati.
2:27 PM EDT – The Ravens tried to get into field goal range to kick a field goal before halftime, but they didn’t have enough time to do so. The Ravens lead the Bengals 17-0 going into halftime.
2:42 PM EDT – The third quarter started in Cincinnati, Baltimore will be looking to extend their lead as they get the ball first.
2:44 PM EDT – Joe Flacco got picked off early in the drive. He threw a quick check down to Terrance West but West couldn’t haul it in. In the process, it was tipped up and picked by Nick Vigil. Not a good way to start a half for the Ravens.
2:50 PM EDT – The Ravens managed to stop the Bengals offense in the red zone. Suggs forced Andy Dalton to fumble on third and short, Pierce came up with the recovery. An excellent stand by the defense.
3:09 PM EDT – The Ravens were able to burn 9:38 off the clock on the drive after the Andy Dalton Fumble. The Ravens ran the ball effectively for most of the drive, getting down into the red zone. The drive stalled out there, when Flacco was forced to throw bad had very little time as the Bengals pressured him immensly. Justin Tucker kicked a field goal to end the drive. The score is now 20-0, Baltimore on top. The Bengals are also the only team playing right now to have no points on the board.
3:17 PM EDT – The Ravens have forced another punt. Joe Flacco was in the medical tent for a little bit after being hit at the end of the last drive. He was apparently checked for a concussion and cleared. Still gave me a heart attack.
3:20 PM EDT – It’s the end of the third quarter, the Ravens are on top 20-0 over the Bengals. Quick update on that Flacco concussion clearance, one of the NFL spotters called for Flacco to be checked. Again, he was cleared.
3:24 PM EDT – The Ravens kept the ball on the ground for the entirety of the short drive. They appear to just be running the clock out now. Bengals are down by three posessions with just 12:23 left in the game.
3:31 PM EDT – The Bengals started to move the ball down the field. AJ Green got down to midfield. The drive stalled out though, and the Bengals elected to punt, even though they are down by 20 with less then 10 minutes left in the game. Looks like they have finally given up.
3:46 PM EDT – The Bengals went for it in the red zone on fourth down to try and get some points on the board. Andy Dalton basically threw the ball away, resulting in a turnover on downs. This game is virtually over. Baltimore will try to run the clock with under five minutes left.
3:55 PM EDT – Andy Dalton threw his fourth interception of the day, giving him five total turnovers. We’re now at the two minute warning, and Baltimore is trying to run the clock out.
3:58 PM EDT – The Ravens have punted the ball away to the Bengals for what is likely the final time of the game. There’s only 1:06 left in the game, and the Bengals still have no points.
4:00 PM EDT – The Ravens finish the game off after pitching a shutout. The final score was 20-0.
The Baltimore Feather’s Player of the Game: Terrell Suggs – 2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 5 Tackles
