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NFL playoffs: Defending AFC champion Bengals stuff Ravens in dramatic AFC wild-card victory

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) fumbles the ball as it is knocked away by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, left, in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. The Bengals' Sam Hubbard recovered the fumble and ran it back for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) fumbles as it is knocked away by Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson, left, in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's AFC wild-card game. The Bengals' Sam Hubbard recovered the fumble and ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens split their meetings this regular season, so the AFC wild-card game between the two on Sunday night served as the decider of this grudge match.

And in true AFC North fashion, a defensive play was the difference.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, starting in place of an injured Lamar Jackson, attempted to score on a 1-yard dive on third-and-goal early in the fourth quarter. He got stuffed, and linebacker Logan Wilson knocked the ball free, which lineman Sam Hubbard scooped up and ran back for an astonishing 98-yard touchdown. The score gave the Bengals a 24-17 lead, a margin they held for the victory.

Up next for the Bengals: a trip to Buffalo in the AFC divisional round.