The biggest gaffe came in the second quarter just two plays after Rey Maualuga intercepted a deflected Joe Flacco pass and returned it to the Baltimore 19. The Bengals gave the ball right back to the Ravens when Russell Bodine snapped the ball before Andy Dalton was ready for it and linebacker Elvis Dumervil fell on it.
A few minutes later, the Bengals were the beneficiary of a good spot on a third-down reception by James Wright at their own 17. Instead of rushing to the line to prevent Baltimore from challenging the spot, quarterback Andy Dalton called a timeout.
Given extra time to look at the replay, Ravens coach John Harbaugh challenged it and won, forcing the Bengals to punt.
And on the last Ravens drive of the half, Lewis declined a holding penalty on third and 4 after a sack at the Cincinnati 39. That enabled Justin Tucker, who has not missed a field goal this year, to attempt a 57-yarder, which he of course made to up the lead to 13-3 with 1:34 left before halftime.
Tucker added a 54-yarder at the gun for his third field goal of the game from at least 50 yards.
Even the Bengals’ only points of the half came after missed opportunities. They had second and goal at the Baltimore 4, but Dalton threw incomplete to Eifert on second down and was too high for Brandon LaFell on third down.
Mike Nugent hit a 23-yard field goal to get the Bengals within 10-3 after Baltimore had scored points on its first two drives.
The Ravens went 75 yards in 11 plays on its opening drive, which ended with Flacco hitting Brashad Perriman for a 14-yard touchdown on third down.
The score marked the sixth time in the last eight games the Bengals have allowed the opponent to score a touchdown on its opening drive. And they’ve allowed points on the opening series in seven of eight.
The Ravens drove into the red zone on the second possession, but Carlos Dunlap sacked Flacco on third down. Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. got flagged for a personal foul against Vontaze Burfict after the whistle, setting up fourth and 30 at the 34. But Tucker was dead center from 52 yards out to go up 10-0.
The injuries continued for the Bengals as Jeremy Hill got bent over backward late in the second quarter and hopped off. Then Chykie Brown left on a cart with a minute left in the half after injuring his knee covering a punt.
The Bengals have just 115 yards of offense. They’ve rushed 13 times for 23 yards against the No. 1 rush defense in the league, and Dalton is 9 of 17 for 92 yards.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco is 17 of 25 for 161 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Ravens have 210 yards of offense.
About the Author