Bengals Report Card from loss to Ravens


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Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV: Ch. 19, 45

Radio: 700-AM, 1530-AM, 102.7-FM, 104.7-FM

Here is a look at the good, the bad and the key plays from the Bengals' 19-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in this week's Report Card:

RUSH OFFENSE

The Good: Replacing Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead averaged 5.8 yards per carry, the third-highest total of the season by a Bengals back with at least five attempts.

The Bad: Jeremy Hill had just 21 yards on 12 carries (1.8), and the Bengals had 64 yards as a team, their lowest total since Week 2.

Key Play: Burkhead's 17-yard run on the first play of the final drive started the Bengals on a trip to the red zone with a chance to tie the game.

Grade: D

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PASS OFFENSE

The Good: Andy Dalton did a great job of extending the play and throwing on the run on the 3-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Eifert, who also did a good job working through traffic and getting open along the back line of the end zone

The Bad: Two fumbles in the red zone, four batted down passes on the final drive and three more sacks to extend the streak of allowing at least one to 11 in a row.

Key Play: Facing third down at the Baltimore 16 with a chance to tie the game in the final minute, right tackle Eric Winston let Elvis Dumervil get around the edge resulting in a strip sack that clinched the game.

Grade: D+

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RUSH DEFENSE

The Good: The Bengals held both Baltimore backs, Kenneth Dixon (3.8) and Terrance West (3.7), under 4 yards per carry, including a 2-yard tackle for loss by Wallace Gilberry on a third-and-2 play.

The Bad: Dixon, West and quarterback Joe Flacco all had runs of at least 15 yards.

Key play: After the Bengals lost their first fumble in the red zone the defense had a chance to make a stand and get the ball back for the offense in decent field position, but West ripped off a 16-yard run on the first play and Baltimore flipped the field, pinning Cincinnati at its own 7.

Grade: B

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PASS DEFENSE

The Good: Carlos Dunlap had a sack and a pair of pass deflections, the second of which led to a Rey Maualuga interception that gave the Bengals offense the ball at the Baltimore 19.

The Bad: Flacco was 3 of 4 for 44 yards and a touchdown on third down during the first two drives of the game to stake the Ravens to a 10-0 lead.

Key play: The 14-yard pass to Breshad Perriman on third and 5 on the opening drive gave the Ravens their only touchdown of the game.

Grade: B

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SPECIAL TEAMS

The Good: Filling in for injured long snapper Clark Harris, Tyler Ott made his NFL debut after just three practices and delivered solid snaps on six punts, two field goals and an extra point.

The Bad: Mike Nugent missed his third consecutive extra point and the coverage unit allowed Devin Hester to get loose for a season-long 28-yard punt return.

Key Play: With the Bengals ready to get the ball back on a punt with 4:31 to go, returner Alex Erickson failed to catch the ball, which hit at the 36 and bounced to the 19 for a 63-yard punt.

Grade: D+

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COACHING

The Good: Even though it was the fourth consecutive winless game, some credit is due for coming back from an early 10-0 deficit with a group that was missing A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard and two of its top three safeties and having a chance to force overtime on the final drive.

The Bad: The lack of urgency (the Bengals didn't break the huddle until 7 seconds were left on the play clock) after a beneficial spot on a third-and-7 reception was baffling and allowed Baltimore enough time to review the play, challenge it and win it, forcing a punt.

Key Play: The decision to decline a holding penalty and let Justin Tucker attempt a 57-yard field goal backfired when the Pro Bowl kicker drilled it for a 13-3 lead with less than two minutes left before halftime.

Grade: D

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