Photo: Lamar Jackson Posts Tired Worker Meme on IG After Ravens’ Win vs. Bengals

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVNovember 8, 2024

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Dramatic comeback wins in AFC North clashes take a lot of work, and Lamar Jackson was tired after leading his Baltimore Ravens to a 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.

The quarterback posted a tired worker meme on his Instagram page after throwing for 290 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions while outdueling Joe Burrow by a single point:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLamar’s IG story after W over Bengals 😭

(via @Lj_era8) pic.twitter.com/i5ThdLg4Ke

It seemed like the Bengals were going to cruise to a road win when Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a 67-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 14 in the third quarter. They then forced a punt from Baltimore and had the opportunity to seize full control and put Jackson and Co. away with another score.

Instead, Chase Brown lost a fumble in Cincinnati territory, Derrick Henry parlayed it into a touchdown on the ensuing possession and the two teams were off to the races.

Jackson had three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter alone, while Burrow countered with two. Both of Cincinnati’s touchdowns went to Chase, as the wide receiver was unstoppable on his way to 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a performance that likely won some fantasy contests well before the Sunday slate even started.

B/R Gridiron @brgridironLamar with the floater 🏀

Ravens lead by 7

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vPE9GVmqWS

Chase’s final touchdown came with 38 seconds remaining and cut Baltimore’s lead to one. Rather than play overtime on the road with a struggling defense, the Bengals elected to go for two.

Yet the Ravens forced an incomplete pass, perhaps with the help of some uncalled holding, and then clinched the win by recovering the ensuing onside kick.

Jackson is now 10-2 in his career against the Bengals and continued his dominance over the division rivals with his late dramatics. It was surely tiring, but the good news for the quarterback and the rest of his teammates is they now have a mini-bye after playing on a Thursday.

The timing couldn’t be better, as next up for Baltimore is a road showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 17.

Pittsburgh is one game ahead of the Ravens in the loss column, so the winner of that one could find itself in first place in the AFC North.