Baltimore blows a tire against Cincy

Ah going into Sunday's match up against the Bengals this looked like an opportunity to right the ship for Baltimore.

And it should have been. This was another mind numbing game that Cam Cameron gots some 'splainin' to do. Seriously the Bengals defense is not exactly a brick wall. Yes they are much improved but they still were vulnerable to a strong rushing team. Oh and what do you know? The Ravens are a strong rushing team.

On Sunday the Ravens threw the ball 31 times and ran 18. Why? It's not like the game dictated the need to catch up. In fact Baltimore led at the half 7 to 3. In the 3 rd quarter they fell behind a whopping 10 to 7. And took a 14 to 10 lead in the 4 th quarter.

All scenarios that point to doing what you do best. Especially when it is what you were doing best! The 18 carries netted a 4.6 yards per carry on the day. Your Qb was throwing for a sad 6.0 yards per attempt and had 2 INT's.

Worse yet one of the Ravens TD's was compliments of and Ed Reed Pick 6. This was a bad day for the Ravens offense that had been making strides. Lately the Ravens of totally fooled themselves into thinking Flacco is Tom Brady. His success has been predicated on the success of your rushing abilities and a more balanced approach. They have gotten out of that and they have looked anemic as a result. And it is that simple in my view.

These were the Bengals for crying out loud. How innovative do you need to be? Cedric Benson ran on you to make matters worse. 27 carries for a 120 yards! Benson and the Bengals ravened the Ravens. You let the Bengals pile up 142 rushing yards and 403 total yards on you. Again as dominate of a defense as the Ravens are some of that is because the offense would pound the ball and eat some clock.

> Find Baltimore Ravens hats & Merchandise online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

You don't have the personnel and make up for the Indianapolis Colts offense so why are you trying to be the Colts all of the sudden?

And I ask what is with the 10 penalties? Really 10 is out of control.

This is a game where there is really not much too say as far as I see it. You didn't get beat but you still lost to the Bengals. Hey if the Bengals would have taken this game under control and beat you, then credit the Bengals. But they scored 17 points and that's it. Yes 17! You should never lose to the Bengals when they score less than 20 points.

You better take a hard look at reality when you prepare for the Vikings. Because if Ced Ben can put a buck twenty on you Adrian Peterson is going to tattoo you for 250 yards! And the sad part is Minnesota can stop the rush.

So this week Cam you got your hands full! You better come up with a balance and keep the Vikings offense off the field and get some play action going. The one thing the young Flacco is very good at.

By: Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Baltimore Ravens Correspondent