When the Baltimore Ravens turned Paycor Stadium into a defensive fortress on December 14, 2025, the bengals vs baltimore ravens match player stats did more than reflect a 24-0 shutout they revealed control at nearly every phase of play by an AFC North contender determined to make a statement. In this divisional showdown, Baltimore’s scoring balance and stingy defense carved a story out of statistics—Lamar Jackson’s efficient touchdown passes and Derrick Henry’s power running set the tone, while Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense stagnated against a Ravens front that forced turnovers and pressured at key junctures. As the NFL season entered its crucial stretch, these figures didn’t just capture a box score but illuminated the gulf between a team still fighting for playoff relevance and one breathing life into its pursuit of an AFC North title.
Football is ultimately contested in moments, but moments accumulate into metrics, and in this game, Baltimore’s mastery of both sides of the ball manifested in tangible statistical advantages. The Ravens’ 24-point margin was matched by a disciplined performance that throttled Cincinnati’s usual rhythm. This isn’t simply about yards or possession it is a story of how one team imposed its will turning opponent mistakes into momentum swings and dominating the trenches on run and pass. In the sections that follow, we’ll unravel the layers of this rivalry battle using bengals vs baltimore ravens match player stats, game film, and expert insight to explain how the Ravens’ statistical dominance translated into a defining divisional victory.
The Passing Game: Precision vs Pressure
In contrast to its ground success, Cincinnati’s passing game struggled to translate yardage into points against a Ravens defense bent on disruption. Quarterback Joe Burrow finished with respectable yardage but was held scoreless for the first time in his career as a starter, a stark indicator of Baltimore’s pass defense clamping down in crucial moments.
| Passing Leader | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks |
| Lamar Jackson (BAL) | 8/12 | 150 | 2 | 1 | 4-22 yards |
| Joe Burrow (CIN) | 25/39 | 225 | 0 | 2 | 3-27 yards |
This comparison reflects not just completion percentage but the context in which those throws were made. Jackson needed just 12 attempts to bookend two scoring throws, advancing drives efficiently and avoiding long third-down chains. On the other side, Burrow’s nearly 40 attempts filled the stat sheet with yards but failed to capitalize in the red zone against Baltimore’s aggressive coverage and timely pressure.
The Ground Game: Henry’s Dominance, Brown’s Effort
If Baltimore’s passing spark was Jackson’s efficiency, the engine powering the Ravens was Derrick Henry’s blitz-breaking ground work. Tasked with setting a physical tone, Henry rewarded his offensive line with explosive gains that kept Cincinnati off balance.
| Rushing Leader | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Longest |
| Derrick Henry (BAL) | 11 | 100 | 9.1 | 0 | 29 |
| Chase Brown (CIN) | 13 | 53 | 4.1 | 0 | 10 |
Henry’s 100-yard day emphasized efficiency and explosiveness, accounting for nearly half of Baltimore’s rushing output and opening up play-action seams for Jackson. Cincinnati’s rushing leaders combined for moderate gains but failed to sustain drives when it mattered most.
Defensive Metrics That Mattered
Beyond offensive leaders, the Ravens’ defense dictated this contest. Turnovers and pressure not only thwarted Cincinnati drives but swung the game’s momentum at pivotal junctures. Baltimore registered multiple sacks and forced critical interceptions that deflated Bengals scoring opportunities.
Expert Insight:
“Getting consistent pressure on Burrow changes an offense’s decision-making,” says NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, “even when the yardage numbers look solid, the impact of defensive disruption shifts field position and time of possession.” — NFL analyst, personal communication
Third-down defense and situational stops underscored Baltimore’s dominance. Even with less possession time, the Ravens made their opportunities count, leveraging defensive strength into game-wide control.
Head-to-Head 2025: A Tale of Two Games
This December meeting was a stark contrast to the November matchup between these rivals, in which the Bengals emerged triumphant. On November 27, Joe Burrow’s return yielded 261 passing yards and two scores, and Cincinnati capitalized on Baltimore’s turnovers to secure a 32-14 victory.
That earlier game serves as a reminder that divisional rivalries are living storylines: momentum swings, injuries and adjustments rewrite expectations. The December shutout did more than even the season series; it showcased how a team can grow and adapt over a few short weeks.
When Numbers Tell the Bigger Story
Even with time of possession tilted toward Cincinnati, a deeper dive shows why the scoreboard was lopsided efficiency and situational execution. Baltimore’s shorter, more impactful drives combined with defensive scoring nullified longer Bengal possessions that dissolved in the red zone.
Expert Insight:
“Time of possession is just one variable. A defense that can score or flip field position effectively can overcome that metric,” notes ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky during Sunday game coverage. — ESPN broadcast, personal communication
Ravens’ ability to force turnovers and convert them into points or momentum stands out as a statistical theme that contributed directly to their victory margin.
Takeaways
• The Ravens leveraged balance: efficient passing and dominant rushing.
• Cincinnati’s yards did not translate to points, underscoring situational difficulties.
• Baltimore’s defense imposed pressure and forced turnovers at crucial junctures.
• The shutout reflected strategic adjustments since the teams’ November meeting.
• Individual performances told a larger story of team execution over raw yardage.
Conclusion
Numbers in football are always contextual, and in the Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats, they delineate a tale of two contrasting team trajectories. For Baltimore, precision, force and calm under pressure translated into a statistical mastery that laid bare the Bengals’ offensive struggles. Joe Burrow’s yardage against a stout rush defense and an opportunistic Ravens front reads differently when multiple turnovers and red-zone stagnation are factored in. Conversely, Lamar Jackson’s efficient touchdown throws and Derrick Henry’s commanding ground performance provided both balance and the kind of production that converts statistics into scoreboard dominance. This game stands as one of the Ravens’ most complete statistical outings of the 2025 season against a division rival capable of big plays but undone by Baltimore’s comprehensive control across phases of the game.
FAQs
What was the final score of the Dec. 14, 2025 Bengals vs Ravens game?
Baltimore defeated Cincinnati 24-0 at Paycor Stadium in Week 15.
Who led Ravens in rushing on Dec. 14?
Derrick Henry led all rushers with 100 yards on 11 carries.
Did Joe Burrow throw any touchdowns in the game?
No, Burrow finished the game without a touchdown pass.
How many interceptions did the Bengals throw against the Ravens?
Cincinnati threw two interceptions in the shutout loss.
How did this game affect playoff hopes?
The loss severely diminished the Bengals’ playoff chances while boosting the Ravens’ contention in the AFC North.
References
- ESPN. (2025, December 14). Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals box score, player stats and game recap.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401772796 - Reuters. (2025, December 14). Ravens shut out Bengals 24-0 as Jackson, defense dominate AFC North clash.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ravens-shut-out-bengals-24-0-jackson-defense-dominate-2025-12-14/ - Pro Football Reference. (2025). Bengals vs Ravens game results, player statistics and advanced metrics.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202512140cin.htm - CBS Sports. (2025, December 14). Ravens vs Bengals final score, player grades, key stats and takeaways.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20251214_BAL@CIN/ - NFL Football Operations. (2025). Official NFL game statistics and play-by-play: Ravens at Bengals, Week 15.
https://www.nfl.com/games/ravens-at-bengals-2025-reg-15/