Four Late Baltimore Penalties Open Door for Bengals, 17-14

NFL News - October 11th, 2009 - Written by John

Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens were critical of referees that officiated their loss last week against the Patriots, mostly because they felt petty penalties prevented them from playing physical defense.

After their devastating loss to the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, one can only imagine what they will be fuming about in the coming days. Lewis was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the Bengals game-winning drive, one of four major penalties that crippled the Ravens' defense. Carson Palmer converted a fourth down with his legs and then hit Andre Caldwell with a 27-yard strike to beat Baltimore, 17-14. The final drive went for 80 yards, 30 of them via penalty which gave the Bengals three first downs.

It was Caldwell's second consecutive game-winning reception after he did it against Pittsburgh in Week Four. It allowed Cincinnati to make good on their word after dedicating the game to assitant coach Mike Zimmer, who's wife passed away earlier in the week.

Two Bengal receivers had at least 90 yards through the air and Cedric Benson became the first running back to gain 100 yards on Baltimore in 39 games. He had 120 yards on 27 carries and scored his team's first touchdown.

Carson Palmer finished with 271 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception, recovering nicely from a rough first quarter. His lone interception opened the game up when Ed Reed stepped in front a pass and took it 52 yards for a touchdown.

Cincinnati responded with 10 unanswered points in the following two quarters, including a 28-yard touchdown scamper by Benson to take their first lead of the game. But Baltimore wouldn't just go away and retook the lead on a terrific touchdown run by Ray Rice. On the play, he caught a Joe Flacco pass, turned around and darted up field. Two Bengals caught him from behind and pulled him to the turf, but as his knees bent, Rice supported himself with his left hand and popped back up. He out ran everybody the rest of the way untouched to the house. He finished the day with 69 yards rushing and was the primary back with Willis McGahee out of the lineup. McGahee, who is the NFL's leading touchdown scorer (6), only had one carry for minus-two yards.

With the win, Cincinnati is now 3-0 in the AFC North and is the outright leader in the division.

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