Baltimore Ravens Fall To Bengals In Disgraceful Fashion, 23-16

The Baltimore Ravens began their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals in disgraceful fashion and ended it the same way, losing 23-16 to the visiting Bengals.

Mistakes compounded for the Ravens in the first half, as Joe Flacco looked shaky, the receivers struggled with drops and the defensive game plan allowed the Bengals to march up and down the field for 15 first-half points.

Out of the blue, a spark appeared in the Ravens offense. Justin Forsett was finding running room and tearing off chunks of yardage. Flacco was sharp and efficient. The blocking was good all the way around, and the defense had the Bengals locked down.

From the beginning of the second half to midway through the fourth quarter, the Ravens became a competent NFL football team. This culminated in an 80-yard deep touchdown from Flacco to Steve Smith, who redeemed himself after an afternoon filled with drops. That touchdown gave the Ravens a 16-15 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Then, Dean Pees’ play call matched Chykie Brown on A.J. Green. Green scored on a 77-yard bomb, and the Bengals retook the lead, 23-16.

Flacco, usually a wizard in the two-minute drill, drove his team down the field, but was unable to pull off the comeback after taking two sacks to end the game.

With next to no positives from the first half, the Ravens need to figure out quickly how to start games with some semblance of focus and effort.

Still, the second half gives reason for hope in Baltimore. Forsett looks to be a keeper, and Flacco really settled in at certain points. If the offense can continue to play like they did in that second half, the Ravens have a chance to be pretty dynamic on that side of the ball.

After the loss, the Ravens have a short week of practice as they prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore Thursday.

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) applies pressure during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports