CINCINNATI (AP) — After voicing his frustration earlier in the week, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had what he described as one of the worst performances of his career in a 24-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens that eliminated Cincinnati from the playoff race.
Burrow, who returned three weeks ago after left toe surgery that sidelined him for nine games, threw two interceptions — including a pick-6 for the second straight game — and completed 25 of 39 passes for 225 yards as Cincinnati (4-10) was shut out at home for the first time since 2017.
Click to Gallery
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to throw against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after being sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
“There’s not a team in the NFL that would have won the game today if I was the quarterback,” Burrow said.
During a news conference on Wednesday, Burrow made comments that had some questioning his future in Cincinnati.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it,” Burrow said. “If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
Burrow clarified those remarks on Sunday.
“My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati,” he said. “My comments had everything to do with me and my mindset.”
Injuries haven't helped.
Burrow's rookie season ended in 2020 in Week 10 when he tore an ACL. He played only 10 games in 2023 because of a torn wrist ligament. And then came the severe turf toe injury that sidelined him this year.
“He just wants to be great, I can respect that,” receiver Ja'Marr Chase said. “I’m not going to let him kill himself mentally by just one game he played bad.”
The Bengals haven’t reached the playoffs since 2022, when they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. A year before that, they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.
“This is a team that I thought was a talented team that was going to have a chance to do things this year," coach Zac Taylor said. "Frustrating season. I believe in the guys we have in this locker room. Through good times and bad, they’ll put their best foot forward.”
The Bengals spent big this offseason, extending the contracts of Chase and fellow wideout Tee Higgins. They gave top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson a 1-year, $30 million deal but did little else to improve one of the league's worst defenses.
Veteran Joe Flacco filled in for Burrow and kept the Bengals' playoff hopes afloat. Burrow returned on Thanksgiving night and passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Ravens.
But the following week, Burrow and the Bengals collapsed at Buffalo. They were much worse on Sunday.
On third-and-goal at the 7 in the fourth quarter, Burrow’s pass was intercepted by Kyle Van Noy, who returned it 11 yards before handing the ball to Alohi Gilman, who ran another 84 yards for a touchdown.
Burrow was shut out for the first time in his career.
“If you’re wanting to compete for championships and get in the playoffs, number one, your quarterback has to play better than I did today,” Burrow said. “I hold myself to a high standard. This is one of the worst games I’ve played.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to throw against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after being sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens served notice that they have plenty of fight left as they pursue a third straight AFC North title.
The Ravens snapped a two-game losing streak and had what coach John Harbaugh said was their most complete game of the season as they blanked the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0 on Sunday.
Lamar Jackson threw for two touchdowns and the Baltimore defense sacked Joe Burrow three times. Kyle Van Noy and Alohi Gilman teamed up for a 95-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter that served as the knockout punch, and Burrow was shut out for the first time in his six-year career.
“Complementary football in all three phases, coming off our best week of practice. We’ve had really good weeks of practice, very intentional weeks of practice, and this was another level,” Harbaugh said. “At this point in time, to see that is really what is impressive about these guys.”
The Ravens (7-7) won their fourth straight road game and pulled within a half-game of Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Steelers host Miami on Monday night.
Baltimore avenged a 32-14 loss to the visiting Bengals on Thanksgiving night.
The Ravens shut out the Bengals for the fourth time. It was the first time the Bengals have been shut out since their 2017 opener, which was also against Baltimore.
“I think we were (ticked) off we lost to them the first time; I’m not going to lie,” Gilman said. "It was good to go out there and just put that on tape and let everyone know that we’re ready to roll.”
Jackson threw first-half TD passes to Rasheen Ali and Zay Flowers and finished 8 of 12 for 150 yards. Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries, his sixth game of 100 or more this season.
Baltimore's offense was on the field for just 20:41, but scored on three straight drives late in the second quarter and early in the third.
“I believe all of us on offense had good rhythm. It felt like us, and we just have to keep pushing the envelope. We got positive yards and stayed ahead of the sticks,” Jackson said.
Cincinnati (4-10) — eliminated from playoff contention with the loss — drove into Baltimore territory four times but couldn't score.
“It starts with our offense getting shut out. Never saw that coming,” coach Zac Taylor said. “There’s a huge amount of accountability I have to take with that. It’s frustrating to score zero points. That’s unacceptable.”
Burrow completed 25 of 39 passes for 225 yards but went 4 of 10 for 59 yards and was picked off twice when under pressure. The game capped a frustrating week for Burrow, who earlier in the week said he wasn't having fun playing football.
“I mean, I think this is one of the worst games I've played. When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance to win,” said Burrow, who has thrown four interceptions in the last five quarters.
Ja’Marr Chase had 10 receptions for 132 yards.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Burrow drove the Bengals to the Ravens 7. On third-and-goal, Burrow tried to avoid the rush of Baltimore linebacker Tavius Robinson when he was picked off by Van Noy at the 5. Van Noy handed it off at the 16 to Gilman, who went 84 yards up the right sideline for the first defensive touchdown of his five-year career.
Gilman said he wasn't surprised that Van Noy handed the ball off.
“I was actually yelling at him to pitch the ball after he caught it, so it worked out,” he said. “I saved some hamstrings for him. Put it on me. So, shout out to Kyle Van Noy. It was a great play.”
The Ravens extended their lead to 14-0 with 23 seconds left in the first half on Jackson's 28-yard strike to Flowers in the back left corner of the end zone. Bengals safety Geno Stone was late on coverage as the Ravens took only 42 seconds to go 80 yards in five plays.
On the second play of the drive, cornerback DJ Turner had a potential interception deflect off his facemask at the Bengals 17 when Jackson overthrew Mark Andrews.
“To get down there and to get the seven points, take it the 14, two-score game going into halftime — it was a huge drive,” Harbaugh said.
Ravens: LB Teddye Buchanan (knee) left in the first half. CB Chidobe Awuzie (foot) and CB Marlon Humphrey (knee) were injured in the second half. Humphrey returned to the game.
Bengals: WR Charlie Jones (right ankle) came out in the second quarter. TE Noah Fant (right ankle), DT Kris Jenkins Jr. (left ankle) and RT Amarius Mims (right knee) were injured in the second half and did not return.
Ravens: Host New England next Sunday night.
Bengals: At Miami next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle van Noy (53), with safety Alohi Gilman (12) running next to him, returns an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) is unable to complete a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after being sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, makes a catch for a touchdown past Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
