Well, that was a shocker. The Ravens, coming off their most complete game last week — at least in the first half — played like an undisciplined, poorly coached, bad-tackling, listless team. It was the biggest game of the season and they came out completely flat.

OFFENSE
The Ravens’ offense had been potent this year. But they did a whole lot of nothing against the Bengals the last time they played. And, yet, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron didn't appear to make any changes to the game plan. So, predictably, the offense sputtered. The offensive line — including the twin towers of penalties, Jared Gaither and Michael Oher — caved all too often. At one point, they gave up three straight sacks late in the fourth quarter. Joe Flacco, who finished with 14 consecutive completions last week against the Bengals, never found his groove and played his worst game of the season. Ray Rice, again, played very well. Grade: F

DEFENSE
Last week against Denver, the defense swarmed. This week, at least in the first half, not so much. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison eased off the gas against the Bengals, rushing just three or four defenders, allowing Carson Palmer far too much time to pick apart the Ravens’ secondary, whose main line of defense was pass interference. Several times, Ravens defenders fell down or made bad tackles. (Ed Reed had several missed tackles, but he did make a great play, stripping the ball from Chad Ochocinco, who talks way too much for a guy with a fumbling problem, while Ochocinco face-masked him.) The Bengals rolled over the Ravens throughout the entire half, using Haloti Ngata’s absence to their advantage. Fortunately, with an increase in blitzing, the Ravens’ D got going in the second half, capably handling the Bengals. But with the offense floundering, it was already too late. Grade: First Half, F. Second Half, B+.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Lardarius Webb was solid on kick returns, but he did take a penalty on one of Chris Carr’s punt returns. And if Webb is going to be on the field for punt returns, why not just have him return the punts? As expected, Sam Koch did his job well while Steven Hauschka did his poorly. I’m not good at kickoffs or field goals either. Maybe I could be the Ravens’ next kicker. Grade: D
--- RONALD T. ZIZMOR.