The Ravens didn't play well enough to celebrate Thanksgiving with a victory.
Their five-game winning streak ended in decisive fashion when the Cincinnati Bengals left M&T Bank Stadium with a 32-14 victory.
Baltimore committed a season-high five turnovers, and those mistakes decided the outcome. However, the Bengals (4-8) outplayed the Ravens (6-6), who have five games left in their regular season to prove they are playoff-worthy.
Here are my five thoughts on the Ravens' current situation:
Lamar Jackson needs to find his 'A' game quickly.
The two-time MVP committed three turnovers for the first time in four years and has not thrown a touchdown pass in three straight games for the first time in his career.
Jackson had his worst performance of the season against the Bengals (17 for 32, 246 yards) and was inconsistent with accuracy throughout the game. He was too high on some passes, too low on others, and off target too often.
Jackson has provided many primetime performances to remember, but this was one he'd like to forget. Before this game, Jackson pretty much owned the Bengals with a 10-1 career record against them as a starter. After the game, he owned that he did not perform up to his standards.
"I feel like I missed throws," Jackson said. "I don't miss those."
Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury this season, and he has missed one practice in each of the last three weeks for various reasons (knee, ankle, toe). Yet, he insisted his health was not a factor in his performance.
"I've got to make those throws," Jackson said. "I don't miss them in practice, so I shouldn't be missing them in the game."
Perhaps having a longer break before the Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 will be the best thing for Jackson. It's been a long season for him already, but for the Ravens to extend their season into the postseason, he will have to raise his game.
"Just be me," Jackson said. "Just be Lamar."
This game magnified other offensive issues.
Through Week 3, the Ravens were averaging 37 points per game. Over the past nine games, they've averaged 18.2 points per game.
Consider that Cincinnati entered Week 13 ranked last in the NFL in total defense. You couldn't tell that from watching the game, which makes Baltimore's offensive issues more concerning, particularly this late in the season.
Baltimore became the first Bengals opponent that failed to score at least 10 points by halftime. After scoring on their opening drive, the Ravens didn't score on their next seven possessions, and the turnovers kept coming.
Very little about the Ravens' offense looks consistent lately. Derrick Henry (60 yards rushing) was the team's best offensive player against Cincinnati but only got 10 carries. The Bengals held Zay Flowers to two catches for six yards, and he had a touchdown nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty.
Isaiah Likely had five catches for 95 yards, but his fumble in the second quarter was a huge momentum swing in Cincinnati's favor. He ruined what would've been a 45-yard touchdown reception by reaching the ball out in front of him as he neared the goal line. That allowed Bengals safety Jordan Battle to knock the ball away
Entering Year 3 in Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken's system, the Ravens expected to be a high-scoring, explosive offensive team. That hasn't materialized, and Jackson said he could not pinpoint why the offense had struggled of late.
"I don't know. I can't call it," Jackson said. "I don't want to make anything up. That's the biggest key right now, just being consistent from the first quarter to the fourth quarter and not putting our defense on the field."
The Ravens have plenty to work on offensively before they face the Steelers.
The defense could suffer if the offense doesn't pick things up.
The Ravens had an impressive goal-line stand after Jackson's first fumble, keeping the Bengals out of the end zone on first-and-goal from the two. They held the Bengals without a touchdown in the first half.
But eventually, the Bengals broke through with two long touchdown drives in the second half to take control. Baltimore's defense has played much better over the past six weeks but didn't get enough help from the offense in this game. The Ravens need more complementary football to have more success.
The Ravens will need a strong finish to make the playoffs.
Losing for the first time in six weeks wouldn't be as concerning if the Ravens had started faster. Instead, they have little margin for error.
If they don't win their third straight AFC North title, the Ravens know they could miss the playoffs. Their poor start has magnified the importance of every game, and now they need a strong finish to avoid missing the playoffs.
"Objectively, a lot rides on this game coming up," Kyle Hamilton said. "Pretty much every game, including this one from here on out. They remember what you do in December. I think we've got the guys to do it."
Extra Points:
- Starting cornerback Nate Wiggins (knee) did not finish the game. Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wiggins' injury was not serious but was uncertain of a timetable for his return.
- Rookie linebacker Chandler Martin (knee) was ruled out with a knee injury suffered on the opening kickoff. Harbaugh said after the game that Martin's injury was more serious than Wiggins'.
- Rookie linebacker Chandler Martin (knee) was ruled out with a knee injury suffered on the opening kickoff. Harbaugh said after the game that Martin's injury was more serious than Wiggins'.
- Henry passed Jim Brown to move into 11th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
- Joe Burrow (24 for 46, 261 yards, two touchdowns) played well in his return after a nine-game absence and played better as the game progressed.
- The Ravens kept Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase out of the end zone, but he finished with seven catches for 110 yards.
