The Cincinnati Bengals lost a wild game 35-34 to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, and it’s a game that ended in controversy after the officiating crew appeared to miss two flagrant penalties on a key two-point attempt in the final minute.
With 38 seconds left in the game, Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 5-yard touchdown that cut Baltimore’s lead to 35-34. The Bengals could have gone for the tie by getting an extra point, but instead, head coach Zac Taylor decided he wanted to try to put his team ahead by going for two.
On the two-point play, Burrow attempted to hit Tanner Hudson, but the pass fell incomplete. No flags were thrown on the play, but there probably should have been two. Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki was grabbed by a Ravens defender, which could have easily been called a defensive hold. On the same play, Burrow was also shot in the head by a Ravens defender.
“Thursday Night Football” rules analyst is former NFL Referee Terry McAulay said the Ravens should have been penalized for both penalties.
“It was clearly a defensive hold before the pass was in flight, that should have been called,” McAulay said. “And that looks like forceful contact to the quarterback’s head. That’s an assault on the passer, it should have been called.”
If both penalties had been called, the Bengals would have only been able to accept one of them and would have been able to retry their two-point attempt from the 1-yard line. Obviously there is no guarantee that they would have made it, but due to the missed penalties, they never They had the opportunity.
Early down the road, officers also missed another shot to Burrow’s head.
It was an ugly ending for Clete Blakeman’s officiating team, who actually did a good job for most of the game.
The missed double was one of the few low points for Burrow. The Bengals quarterback had a big night, throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns. chase too He had a historic game. with 11 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Burrow and Chase nearly led a miraculous comeback, but the Bengals came up short and will now return to Cincinnati with a 4-6 record.
