Bengals lose in heartbreaking fashion, Derrick Henry’s ‘Pantsing’ steals the spotlight

On By Littum

Released|Updated

(Warning: Derrick Henry is a ** contained in this article.)

Ja’Marr Chase’s atomic performance on Thursday Night Football was spoiled after the Cincinnati Bengals fell short of what could have been a turning point win against the Baltimore Ravens in Cincy’s disappointing season.

It was some solid entertainment. Thursday night featured Chase’s 264-yard performance (a gift to fantasy football managers), our weekly dose of a controversial sequence involving the refs, and Derrick Henry’s a** accidentally shown on screens in this great land.

The Baltimore Ravens outshot the Bengals 35-34.

The contest ended with Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense letting everyone down and missing a two-point conversion, seemingly having momentum from Ja’Marr Chase’s late TD (his third of the night) with about 30 seconds left.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Chase went off and became Burrow’s security blanket for the entire evening. His final stat line was 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Of course, the game came down to the Bengals’ two-point conversion attempt. And instead of going back to Chase, Burrow targeted TE Tanner Hudson … an incompletion.

The NFL officials made their mark, missing an obvious grab by Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki on the two-point attempt.

The Ravens defensive line also got away with some forced contact on Burrow, which is typically a penalty in this league, but not this time.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks to midfield prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Cincinnati has to take it on the chin, but at 4-6, the Bengals are running out of chances to save their season.

Baltimore deserves credit, mostly on offense.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson boosted his shot at MVP this year, completing 25-of-33 for 290 yards and four touchdowns.

Burrows’ performance Thursday was slightly better with 428 yards (33-of-45) and four touchdowns.

What adds a gear to Jackson is the QB’s instincts in the pocket, which kept the Bengals’ defensive line mute with zero sacks.

Not even the league leader in sacks, Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, was able to reach Lamar.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Baltimore improved to 7-3 – Jackson improved his record against the Bengals to 10-1.

As for Derrick Henry, the dependent monstrous running back was bottled up for most of the first half. His final stat line was 16 rushing attempts for 68 yards and a touchdown. By Derrick Henry’s standards, you can live with that kind of performance if you’re the opposing defense.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 3: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes the ball against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo: G Fiume/Getty Images)

Henry also gave the primetime crowd a screen full of a ** after getting his pants pulled on a tackle with 3:50 left in the fourth.

NFL fans on social media were more than impressed with Henry’s backyard, posting screenshots of his mooning.

You were warned. Here it is.

TNF’s Bengals and Ravens more than delivered — considering the next game NFL fans get is between the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers in Germany.

Follow X: @alejandroadeela

Send us your thoughts: [email protected]