Week 13 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 7, Cincinnati Bengals 13

What you need to know

Baltimore Ravens

RB Jamal Lewis opened the game for the Ravens with a 15 yard run, but that was the high point for Lewis. He gained just 46 yards on his next 16 carries, with 11 of those going for three yards or fewer. Lewis appeared to be very hesitant in his running style, chopping his feet rather than sprinting to the hole and using his size and power in lowering his pads to punish any would be tacklers. As a result, the Ravens’ RB suffered and was only able to gain two first downs.

QB Steve McNair also was not very effective against Cincinnati in Week 13, throwing for just 107 yards in the first three quarters. He picked up the pass in the fourth quarter, more than doubling his production by going 12-19-117 and a 36 yard touchdown pass to WR Derrick Mason. The touchdown cut the deficit to 13-7, but it was just too little too late for Baltimore. McNair was nearly victimized by could have been interceptions, but the Bengals’ secondary could not make the play each time.

WR Mark Clayton and TE Todd Heap both finished with identical statistics, collecting just four catches and 29 yards each. Clayton did make an important fourth down conversion in the fourth quarter, but for the most part neither Ravens’ player was a big factor in the game.

WR Demetrius Williams continues to see targets as the third receiver for Baltimore, but the rookie is still very mistake prone. He ran a wrong route than almost created an interception and also dropped a short pass in the final period.

The Ravens struggled to move the ball, finishing their first eight possessions with seven punts and one missed field goal (a short 29 yard kick by the usually reliable PK Matt Stover). They also lost a key member of their special teams when kick return specialist B.J. Sams suffered a broken leg and is lost for the rest of the year.

Cincinnati Bengals

WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh racked up 143 yards in the first half on 13 combined catches, buoying QB Carson Palmer’s first half numbers to 160 yards of passing. Houshmandzadeh continued his production in the third period, winding up on the receiving end of a 40 yard flea flicker pass from Palmer for the only Bengal touchdown of the game.

Third WR Chris Henry was targeted three times, including once in the end zone, but failed to collect any receptions or yards.

Palmer finished the game with 234 yards passing, again with most of that coming in the first half. After the touchdown pass to Houshmandzadeh, Palmer threw just six more times for the rest of the game as the Bengals tried to run the ball and grind out the clock with a 13-0 lead.

RB Rudi Johnson was not effective at all, rushing 16 times for just 47 yards, and 15 of those carries were for five yards or fewer. Johnson’s longest run was his last carry, an 11 yard gain on third and long. Despite even that carry, Johnson failed to pick up a single first down for the entire game.

What you ought to know

QB Steve McNair, Pass: 26 - 43 - 227 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 27 - 0

McNair threw for just 107 yards in the first three quarters, but did manage to more than double his production in the final period by going 12-19-117 that included a 36 yard touchdown pass to WR Derrick Mason. The touchdown cut the deficit to 13-7, but it was just too little too late for Baltimore.

McNair was nearly victimized by four could have been interceptions, but the Bengals’ secondary could not make the play each time. He threw a number of passes either behind or high to his receivers and was rather ineffective for most of the game. He did try to gain yardage however he could, running twice for 27 yards and a first down, but he chose to slide rather than dive forward on a critical third down run late in the game. The Ravens were unable to pick up the first down on the next play, turning the ball over to the Bengals at their own 11 yard line.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 17 - 61 - 0, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (2 targets)

Lewis had only 61 yards rushing and two runs of ten yards or more in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His first carry wound up being his best, a 15 yard run for a first down on the opening play. That run was a good example of his running style for the entire game, as he took numerous jab steps and cut every three to five yards to try and fake and juke for more yardage. Lewis did not use his physical stature or power to move the pile like a big back normally would, and his hesitancy in hitting the hole and trying to push forward seemed to cost him yards throughout the contest.

Lewis had 17 carries for the game, but only two first downs, which came on his two 10+ yard carries. Eleven of his rushes were for 3 yards or less. He was involved, however, in the passing game, catching two balls in the second half for 11 and 15 yards respectively and picking up two more first downs.

RB Ovie Mughelli, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 3 - 20 - 0 (4 targets)

Mughelli had just one carry for a single yard, but he was used more as a receiver out of the backfield. He caught four passes for fewer than ten yards each, yet the fourth did not count as his seven yard catch was called back due to a penalty.

RB Musa Smith, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Smith caught two very short passes, one each in the second quarter (three yards) and the third quarter (four yards). Smith was also asked to step in for the injured DB B.J. Sams and return kicks.

RB Mike Anderson, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Anderson came into the game late and caught two passes for a total of 14 yards. Other than those two targets, Anderson was completely below the radar and a non-factor in the game.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 7 - 90 - 1 (11 targets)

Mason caught three passes in the first half, all coming on his first three targets. The three passes were for a combined 27 yards, highlighted by a 13 yard grab and a first down. After the next three targets fell incomplete, Mason entered the fourth quarter looking to help his team catch up on the scoreboard. He converted all four of his targets in the final period for positive yardage, starting with a nice ten yard catch and run for a first down. After a short five yarder, Mason converted a fourth down and four with a 12 yard catch. His final reception was his biggest and longest play of Week 13, a 36 yard touchdown late in the game. Mason caught the ball at the goal line and walked into the end zone as he had slowed up for the pass to arrive just as the Cincinnati defender hit Mason and fell to the ground.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 4 - 29 - 0 (8 targets)

Clayton caught a short pass in the second quarter, but it was his only catch of the first half against the Bengals in Week 13. He was defended well on his next target by DB Johnathan Joseph, and his next two targets of the third quarter were inaccurate throws. Clayton caught three of his four fourth quarter targets, all for short yardage, but his final two targets were both on key fourth downs. Clayton converted a fourth and ten just before the touchdown to WR Derrick Mason. The last catch was for 13 yards and was his longest play of the game.

WR Demetrius Williams, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (5 targets)

Williams caught two short passes for a combined 12 yards in the first half. The rookie WR struggled on his final three targets, all in the fourth quarter. The first pass appeared to be a bad route run by Williams as the ball went inside with William’s running an outside pattern. The second was a short pass that Williams dropped, and his final chance was nearly intercepted.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 4 - 29 - 0 (7 targets)

Heap opened his stat line with a 15 yard catch for a first down in the first quarter, but his production tapered after each and every reception. He managed to catch a short pass for nine yards in the second quarter, but his next two targets were all uncatchable errant throws for QB Steve McNair. Heap did catch his final two targets, but they were only good for four and then one positive yard.

PK Matt Stover 0 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

Stover missed a short 29 yard field goal wide left just before halftime, a demoralizing event that left a giant zero next to Baltimore’s scoreboard entry. Stover had made the kick already, but the Bengals had called a timeout just moments before the kick.

Stover added one point after WR Derrick Mason’s touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter.

BAL Rush Defense

Rudi Johnson struggled all game to pick up yardage, finishing with just 47 yards on 16 tries, less than three yards per carry. The Bengals picked up only one rushing first down all game, but they did not abandon the run in order to keep their defense fresh and off the field.

BAL Pass Defense

The Bengals seemed to be able to move the ball at will with the short passing game in the first half, as QB Carson Palmer racked up 160 yards before halftime. The biggest beneficiaries of that production were WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who combined for 143 first half yards. Houshmandzadeh added to his totals with a 40 yard flea flicker touchdown catch in the third quarter, extending the Bengals’ lead to 13-0, upon which Cincinnati deemphasized the passing game.

The Ravens failed to generate a turnover and recorded only two sacks.

QB Carson Palmer, Pass: 21 - 32 - 234 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - -3 - 0

Palmer targeted his top two wide receivers nearly exclusively against Baltimore in Week 13. Both WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh had 11 targets each, or two-thirds of all of Palmer’s attempts. Both receivers dominated in the first half, catching 13 of Palmer’s 15 completions for a combined 143 yards (again, for most of Palmer’s 160 yards before intermission). Both receivers ran short pass routes (mostly 15 yards and less) and Palmer hit them as they came out of their breaks time after time. Palmer entered halftime with solid numbers (15-22-160) as a result of the repeated passing to Johnson and Houshmandzadeh.

The Bengals tried to jump out on top of Baltimore, and they were successful on the first possession of the second half. Palmer connected with Houshmandzadeh on a 40 yard flea flicker for the only Bengals touchdown of the game. After that play, the Bengals tried to run more than pass in the second half to nurse their lead and hold on for the victory. Palmer was able to only have to pass seven times after the flea flicker as Cincinnati milked the clock and held Baltimore to just one score.

RB Rudi Johnson, Rush: 16 - 47 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

Johnson struggled all night against the stingy Baltimore defense. The Bengals kept trying despite the lack of production, as Johnson had at least three carries in every quarter. Johnson’s only carry for longer than five yards was his final carry, which came on a third and long (14) situation.

Johnson failed to even pick up a first down on the ground despite his 16 attempts. He was able to contribute some early in the game as a receiver. Johnson caught two short passes for a combined 17 yards in the first quarter.

RB Jeremi Johnson, Rush: 4 - 23 - 0 (1 targets)

Johnson was used as a fullback or “up” back for the Bengals in Week 13. Johnson had four carries, but the bulk of his yards came on a hard fought 15 yard run up the middle in the third quarter for a rare Bengal rushing first down (the only rushing first down of the game).

Johnson also had one target in the game on a short crossing pass inside the Baltimore 10 yard line in the second quarter, but he was unable to make the catch.

RB Kenny Watson, Rec: 1 - 20 - 0 (2 targets)

Watson had two passes thrown in his direction. The first official target was completely uncatchable, as QB Carson Palmer threw away a pass to avoid the Ravens’ pass rush. The second target was a shuffle pass on third and long that was good enough for 20 yards and a Bengals first down in the third quarter. That play was important because it set up the flea flicker to Houshmandzadeh just three plays later.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Rec: 10 - 106 - 1 (11 targets)

Houshmandzadeh was prolific in the first half against Baltimore in Week 13, catching all six of his targets, but not a one of them was for more than 14 yards. He entered the half with six catches and 56 yards and four first downs.

Houshmandzadeh could not grab a high slant pass to start his third quarter, but the next target broke the game open. Houshmandzadeh ran a deep pattern on a flea flicker between RB Rudi Johnson and QB Carson Palmer. Palmer hit his wide open WR for a 40 yard touchdown.

WR Chad Johnson, Rec: 8 - 91 - 0 (11 targets)

Johnson was productive in the first half, catching seven balls for 87 yards before halftime. Johnson was targeted 10 times before the end of the second quarter. He ran short and medium routes, working his way back to the ball to gain roughly ten to 20 yards at a time. Johnson also caught a touchdown pass but it was negated by his offensive pass interference, a penalty for which he took full responsibility.

Johnson added one more catch in the third quarter on his final target, which was good enough for four yards and a first down.

WR Chris Henry (3 targets)

Henry had three targets against the Ravens, two in the first quarter. The first pass was thrown behind him on a ten yard slant. The second was an end zone target on a corner fade route, and it appeared that DB Samari Rolle got away with pass interference when the ball was in the air. The net result was a pass thrown out of bounds and no penalty.

Henry’s final target came in the fourth quarter, where he dropped a short pass from Palmer.

TE Reggie Kelly (3 targets)

Kelly had three targets, one in each of the last three quarters, but none were completed. The only catchable targets was the first, where he was open on the right edge of the end zone, but he caught the pass well out of bounds.

PK Shayne Graham 2 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Graham made two short (22, 27) field goal attempts in the second quarter, and later added a single extra point. His final kick was form 47 yards away, and Graham was wide right.

CIN Rush Defense

RB Jamal Lewis had two carries for over ten yards, but for the most part was held in check by the Bengals defense. Lewis had three yards or less on 11 of his 17 carries as he racked up just 61 yards rushing. The only carries by Lewis that went for a first down were the two 10+ yard rushes he had in the game, as the Bengals only allowed three rushing first downs for the game (one for McNair).

CIN Pass Defense

The Bengals let opportunity after opportunity literally slip through their fingers. DB Johnathan Joseph had three passes go through his hands or hit him as if he was the intended receiver, yet he could not come up with the pick. Cincinnati had four chances at interceptions yet caught none. Even though they were stymied in the turnover department, they did keep the passing game to a minimum, allowing just over 100 yards passing before the fourth quarter. The only score of the game came late on a deep pass to WR Derrick Mason with just a few minutes remaining.