NFL: Justin Tucker kicks Ravens to dramatic win over Bengals
Baltimore, Maryland - The Baltimore Ravens were saved by a Justin Tucker 43-yard field goal in the final seconds to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 19-17 on Sunday night in the NFL.
Arguably the best kicker of his generation, Tucker converted all four of his field-goal attempts in the contest, also hitting from 25 yards, 37 yards and a 58-yarder in the third quarter to take the lead out of the halftime break.
The score was tied at 10-10 at the midpoint after touchdown catches from both featured tight ends, with Baltimore's Mark Andrews benefitting from a busted coverage to walk in with an easy 11-yard score, before Hayden Hurst answered right back with a 19-yard touchdown reception for the Bengals later in the second quarter.
There would be no more touchdowns until Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow converted a goal-line sneak in the first play out of the two-minute warning to take a 17-16 lead, leaving the Ravens one minute and 58 seconds to drive down into field-goal range.
After struggling to move the ball all night, the Ravens made their last drive look easy, with a couple of catches for Andrews followed by a 19-yard run by Lamar Jackson to push their way to the 25-yard line, where they would run down the clock for the final kick.
Nailing the kick improved Tucker's record on game-deciding field goals – in the final two minutes or overtime to tie or take the lead – to 25 out of 26 (96%).
Jackson finished up completing 19 of 32 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while also leading the Ravens in rushing with 12 carries for 58 yards.
Cover photo: USA TODAY Sports