Rush offense, D. Until Curtis Keaton busted out for 44 garbage yards on the Bengals' fourth-quarter touchdown drive, San Diego had held them to 67 yards. And when the offense needed to give the defense a rest in the third quarter, the running game failed to pose any threat to the Chargers. The Bengals had minus-7 yards of total offense in the decisive third quarter. The same offensive line that pushed the Ravens around a week ago was handled by the Chargers' front seven.

        Pass offense, D. Jon Kitna threw three interceptions and had two other passes bounce out of the hands or off the chest of San Diego defenders. He was sacked twice and forced to scramble and run five times when protection broke down. The Bengals converted only 25 percent of third downs. Chad Johnson emerged with two receptions, including one of a pretty fade pass by Kitna in the second quarter.

        Rush defense, C. The Bengals were an A against the run at halftime, having given up just 25 yards. But in the Chargers ran all over the defense for 108 yards in the second half giving up runs of 23, 19, 13 and 10 to LaDainian Tomlinson when the game was in the balance.

        Pass defense, D. More critical than the Chargers' ability to run the ball in the second half was how easily quarterback Doug Flutie's converted three third-down passes on two third-quarter scoring drives. One of the biggest plays was a 24-yard Flutie pass to wide receiver Jeff Graham on third and 7 from the Chargers' 48. Graham beat defenders on a crossing route for 24 yards, running after the catch to the Cincinnati 24. The game was still tied at that time. Bengals cornerbacks also continue to play 8 to 10 yards off receivers even on intermediate-yardage third downs.

        Special teams, B. Neil Rackers executed a successful onside kick. There were no field goal attempts. The Bengals' average drive start after kickoffs was the 30. Game-breaking Chargers punt returned Tim Dwight averaged just 6 yards on four punt returns. Nick Harris averaged 39.2 yards a punt, including a 32-yarder that was downed by Ron Dugans on the Chargers' 7-yard line in the first quarter.

        Coaching, C. Coaches could come up with nothing to stop the Chargers' on three consecutive scoring drives of 55, 40 and 59 yards in the third and fourth quarters. At the same time, the offense went three and out on 3 of 4 possessions in the second half. Coach Dick LeBeau deflected credit when his team dominated the third quarter in the first two games. They came out flat in the third quarter Sunday.

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