Ravens Notebook: Biggest Takeaways From Win Over Bengals

Two weeks into the season and the Baltimore Ravens have already picked up an impressive division win.

The Baltimore Ravens went on the road into Paul Brown Stadium and handled their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 27-24. 

The Ravens' season is off to a great start so far, despite some negatives. Not only did they move to 2-0 on the year, but they were also able to dig the Bengals into a deeper hole than they already were in at 0-2. 

Baltimore looked like the more complete team for the entirety of the game, controlling the pace of play and gaining 26 first downs to Cincinnati's 19. Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow had a rough game for the second straight week after he signed the most expensive contract in NFL history. 

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the Ravens' divisional win. 

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Lamar In Top Form

Baltimore's MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson looked as good as it gets in the 27-24 win, going 24-of-33 for 237 yards and two touchdowns while adding 54 yards on the ground. His favorite weapon, tight end Mark Andrews, returned from injury after missing Week 1 and was able to slide right into the offense, leading the team in targets and catching five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension in the offseason and so far it has paid off for both him and the team. 

Offensive Line Holds Strong

The offensive line had taken a hit in Week 1, with multiple players suffering injuries. Starting center Tyler Linderbaum and starting tackle Ronnie Stanley were both forced to miss Week 2 with injuries. Still, the offensive line performed excellently in the win. 

The Bengals recorded zero sacks on the day and were only able to register one quarterback hit on Jackson. The Ravens were able to run the ball at will even after losing starting running back J.K. Dobbins for the season in Week 1, tallying up 178 rushing yards on 37 attempts for 4.8 yards per carry.

Best Of The AFC North

While the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers won't play until Monday Night Football, the Ravens were able to stay at the top of the division with their win over Cincinnati. It's only been two weeks, but based off of the Bengals' performances this season, the favorite in the division might not be as clear as previously thought. 

With Burrow and Cincinnati struggling in an already competitive field, the division could be anyone's for the taking. Based on the result of Monday's game, Baltimore will either be tied for first or hold sole possession of the top spot in the AFC North.