CINCINNATI (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw for three touchdowns in a near-perfect passing performance and added a sensational 47-yard scoring run, Marcus Peters got his third pick-6 of the season — this one off rookie Ryan Finley — and the Baltimore Ravens won their fifth in a row, routing the winless Cincinnati Bengals 49-13 on Sunday.
The Ravens (7-2) followed their eye-opening victory over the previously unbeaten Patriots by quickly pulling away from the NFL’s last winless team.
It was the Lamar Jackson show from the start — a 49-yard completion on his first throw. His only incompletion in the first half was on a spike.
Jackson finished 15 of 17 — a club-record completion percentage — for 223 yards and a perfect passer rating of 158.3, his second of the season. Jackson threw five TD passes and had a perfect rating during a 59-10 opening win over the Dolphins.
In the third quarter, Jackson pulled off a 360-degree spin move during his 47-yard touchdown run, among the best in his growing highlight reel of dashing past befuddled defenders. Then, Jackson stood in against a blitz for a 20-yard touchdown pass that made it 42-10.
With their dual-threat quarterback taking the lead, the AFC North leaders have won five in a row for the first time since 2013.
The Bengals (0-9) switched quarterbacks but couldn’t avoid their first sweep by the Ravens since 2011. Finley made his NFL debut and had a hand in the blowout.
Peters read the rookie’s eyes and stepped in front of a sideline pass, returning the interception 89 yards for a touchdown. Peters is the first since William Gay in 2014 to have three pick-6 plays in a season.
Tyus Bowser returned Finley’s fumble 33 yards for another touchdown in the third quarter. Finley finished 16 of 30 for 167 yards. The Bengals benched Andy Dalton during their bye and turned to the fourth-round pick, seeing if he fit in their long-term plans as Cincinnati already begins looking to next year.
The Bengals dropped their 11th in a row from the end of last season, tying the longest two-season losing streak in club history. They’re one loss away from matching the worst start in club history.
INJURIES
Ravens: DT Michael Pierce injured his foot.
Bengals: LT Cordy Glenn missed his ninth game because of a concussion. CB Dre Kirkpatrick missed his third game with a knee injury. TE Drew Sample injured his left ankle.
UP NEXT
Ravens host the Texans.
Bengals play at Oakland.
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