Trouble spots

• Pass defense.The Ravens came in averaging 97.2 passing yards a game. They had 302 Sunday with an average of 20.1 yards a reception. Travis Taylor got behind Jeff Burris for a 73-yard touchdown pass. Nobody could cover tight end Todd Heap.

• Rush offense. Corey Dillon gained tough yards, scoring from the 2 and converting a third-and-1 in the fourth quarter. But the offensive line continues to be spotty in run blocking, and the Bengals needs more than 59 total rushing yards.

• Finishing. The Bengals led 34-10 at the start of the fourth quarter but gave up 16 points to make the game uncomfortably close. There were two second-half roughing-the-passer penalties and a pass-interference call on fourth-and-long. Baltimore got within eight points of the lead.

Looking good

• Special teams. Kyle Richardson elevated the punt game. Kicker Shayne Graham was 2-of-2 on field-goal attempts to improve to 9-of-10 this season. The Bengals' average drive start was seven yards better than Baltimore's, and they thwarted an onside kickoff.

• Defense game plan. The Bengals contained Ravens tailback Jamal Lewis to 101 yards and no touchdowns, and they sacked rookie Kyle Boller four times and hit him a half-dozen more times. Boller had to beat the Bengals but could not do it.

• Jon Kitna. It's a team game, but the quarterback's play is an indicator of success. With Carson Palmer promoted to No. 2, Kitna had three touchdown-no interception performance and is one of the reasons for Chad Johnson's growth at wide receiver.

- Mark Curnutte

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