Baltimore Ravens lose 35-13 to Bengals after 13-0 halftime lead
The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 35-13 on Oct. 25, 2026, at M&T Bank Stadium after leading 13-0 at halftime. The result dropped the Ravens to 4-3 and leaves them at a pivotal point as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills following the Bills’ bye week. The loss was Baltimore’s first blowout defeat of the season and magnified concerns about the team’s second-half performance. The game occurred Oct. 25, 2026; the BaltimoreRavens.com report was published Oct. 25, 2026.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow completed 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and four touchdown passes, and wide receiver Tee Higgins had six catches for 148 yards, all coming after halftime. The Bengals scored on five consecutive touchdown drives in the second half after being held scoreless in the first, and Baltimore could not answer. Baltimore recorded just one sack and surrendered several explosive plays that turned the game in Cincinnati’s favor.
Ravens coach Jesse Minter said the team must stop allowing momentum swings to determine games and must decide what kind of team it wants to be. Defensive end Calais Campbell said it felt like “quicksand” as the Ravens could not get the stops needed after halftime. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson missed his third straight game; he returned to limited practice during the week but did not play on Sunday.
Rookie right guard Vega Ioane left the game late in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return, according to the team. Emery Jones Jr. replaced Ioane at right guard, and veteran center Cam Jurgens made his Ravens debut. Ioane had started three games at center and helped keep the offensive line in sync. The offense also struggled to run the ball, with Derrick Henry held to 45 yards on 17 carries, and Tyler Huntley was sacked four times, which hindered early connections with Zay Flowers.
The loss dropped Baltimore to 0-2 against AFC North opponents and left the Ravens in last place in the division as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns both improved to 5-2. Baltimore has been outscored 48-0 in second halves against AFC North teams this season, and the team has lost five of its last six home games dating to last season. Protecting home field will be critical, as both the Browns and Steelers remain unbeaten at home so far this year. The Ravens also became the first team in 76 years to lead by at least 13 points at halftime and lose by at least 20 points, a historic occurrence credited to the Associated Press.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Ravens must improve second-half adjustments and defensive execution to avoid more collapses after halftime. Offensive-line continuity is also urgent with Vega Ioane’s injury and the recent reshuffling at multiple positions. With Jackson’s availability uncertain and a stretch that finishes with four straight AFC North games, Baltimore needs quicker answers and cleaner execution to keep its division hopes alive.