Monday, September 24, 2001
Bengals report card
Week Two: Bengals 21, Ravens 10
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Rush offense, B-. The Bengals' 67 rushing yards doesn't sound like a lot, but the total is the most against the Ravens' defense in eight regular-season games, dating to Oct. 29 when Baltimore last lost a regular-season game, 9-6 to Pittsburgh. The Bengals rushed for four first downs, and Corey Dillon led the way with 57 yards.
![[tucker]](http://bengals.enquirer.com/2001/09/24/dillon_flips_80x100.jpg)
Corey Dillon |
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Pass offense, B. Jon Kitna completed 19 passes, one for a touchdown and nine for first downs. He missed only 11 times, and the offensive line gave him time. Kitna was sacked just twice. Kitna and Darnay Scott teamed up on a 41-yard gain in the fourth quarter that came an inch (Scott stepped out of bounds making a move) from being an 85-yard touchdown. The Bengals had just enough passing to keep the Ravens' defense off-balance.
Rush defense, A. The Bengals held Baltimore to just 64 yards on the ground on 20 carries (3.2-yard average). The Bengals also tackled Ravens' running backs four times for losses. The rush defense and Baltimore quarterbacks to throw 64 times, a futility record against the Bengals accomplished by shutting down the running game and playing with a lead.
Pass defense, B+. Grbac threw for
329 yards, but he needed 63 attempts (Randall Cunningham threw one pass when Grbac was hurt for one play). The Bengals had three interceptions on the day; they had only nine last year. Brian Simmons grabbed a deflected ball in the end zone to end a Baltimore threat at the end of the first half. Artrell Hawkins picked off one ball. And Takeo Spikes intercepted a pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Special teams, C. Neil Rackers missed all three of his field-goal attempts, which would have given the Bengals more breathing room. Peter Warrick fumbled a punt deep in Bengals' territory to set up the Ravens' only touchdown of the day. But Bengals linebacker Canute Curtis forced a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half and recovered the ball, setting up the Bengals' first and go-ahead touchdown. Curtis Keaton returned three kickoffs for 90 yards.
Coaching, A. Coach Dick LeBeau is 6-6 in his last 12 games. He spliced together a highlight reel this week showing teams moving the ball against Baltimore's defense. He had his players believing they could win. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski called a balanced game of 23 runs and 32 pass plays. Each position group made a major contribution. The defense has allowed only 27 points in two victories.
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