Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals Box Score on Jan 03, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Jan 3, 2016

CINCINNATI -- AJ McCarron overcame a slow start to toss two touchdown passes and running back Jeremy Hill rushed for 96 yards and a TD, helping the Cincinnati Bengals wrap up the regular season with a 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals (12-4) reached 12 wins for the third time in franchise history. The other two seasons (1981, 1988) both resulted in Super Bowl appearances.

Immediately following Sunday's game, Cincinnati still had hopes for the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC but needed a San Diego Chargers win or tie against the Denver Broncos in the late afternoon game to give them a coveted first-round bye in the postseason.

If they do not earn a bye, the Bengals will host the AFC North division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.

Baltimore (5-11) failed to finish the season on a positive note.

Quarterback Ryan Mallett in his second Ravens start passed for 292 yards and a touchdown but also had a pair of interceptions.

Mallett, who passed for a career-high 274 yards in his Baltimore debut last week in a win over Pittsburgh, had pass completions of 17, 18 and 20 yards in the first half on Sunday.

But Baltimore could manage only three field goals in the half.

The Ravens had a touchdown negated by replay when it was ruled receiver Jeremy Butler did not corral Mallett's low throw before scampering 32 yards into the end zone.

Baltimore settled for a 52-yard field goal by Justin Tucker who also made good on a 28-yarder to make the score 6-0.

The Bengals didn't advance into Baltimore territory until late in the first half when McCarron found newly activated tight end Tyler Eifert for a 22-yard touchdown and a 7-6 lead with 1:49 left. It was Eifert's first TD reception since Nov. 29 against St. Louis.

A 49-yarder by Tucker on the final play of the half put Baltimore ahead 9-7.

Cincinnati's defense produced the first big play of the second half when linebacker Vontaze Burfict made a diving interception at the Ravens' 33.

Moments later, an acrobatic catch by receiver A.J. Green who tapped his toes inbounds for a 5-yard TD put the Bengals ahead 14-9.

After starting the game 3-for-8 for 24 yards, McCarron went 10 for 12 for 117 following the TD pass to Green.

On fourth-and-1 at the Baltimore 38 late in the third quarter, Hill burst through the line then dove into the end zone for his longest run from scrimmage this season giving Cincinnati a 21-9 lead.

The Ravens converted 12 of 20 third-down conversions, but couldn't mount a rally against the Bengals' defense. Cincinnati won despite going 0-for-9 on third down.

NOTES: Bengals TE Tyler Eifert was active for the first time since suffering a concussion on Dec. 13 against the Steelers. Eifert also missed one game with a neck injury. ... With Bengals HB Ryan Hewitt out with a knee injury, OG Jake Fisher was moved to H-back and given uniform No. 44. ... Bengals LB Emmanuel Lamur left in the second quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. ... Ravens QB Jimmy Clausen was inactive for the second straight week and Matt Schaub was listed as the backup. ... Bengals QB Andy Dalton is expected to meet with doctors on Monday to determine whether the cast on his fractured right thumb can be removed. Dalton's status for the playoffs is uncertain.