Cincinnati Bengals: Week Five Report Card

The Cincinnati Bengals are all alone atop the AFC North after last Sunday's 17-14 victory in Baltimore. Carson Palmer and the Cardiac Cats orchestrated another game-winning drive in the final seconds.

Offense

Palmer completed 18-of-31 passes for 271 yards with one touchdown and one interception—the latter being a 52-yard pick-six by Ed Reed in the first half.

Palmer was tremendous on the final drive, making plays with his arm and feet. The Bengals were charged with three delay-of-game penalties and Palmer must be held accountable for that, even though it may not be entirely his fault.

Cedric Benson broke a streak of 39 games by the Ravens defense of not allowing a 100-yard rusher. It has been a long time since I've seen a Bengals running back play as hard as Benson did.

Grade: B

Defense

The Ravens began the day with the NFL's third-ranked offense. The Bengals defense held them to one offensive touchdown with the same attacking, aggressive style fans are becoming accustomed to seeing.

The secondary held the Ravens receivers in check. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph had an interception for the third consecutive game.

The best thing about the defensive performance was the obvious respect and love for coordinator Mike Zimmer, whose wife of 27 years, Vikki, passed away suddenly last Thursday. At the end of the game, Zimmer was embraced by just about everyone wearing orange and black.

He was awarded the game ball in the locker room by Marvin Lewis.

Grade: A

Special Teams

The kick return game continues to be less than spectacular.

However, the biggest problem has been long-snapper Brad St. Louis. I am sure St. Louis is a fine person and has had a respectable run as the Bengals long-snapper, but this has to stop. He had two more bad snaps against the Ravens.

Sooner or later, it is going to cost the Bengals a game. It reminds me of Chuck Knoblauch, where an action he has performed thousands of times suddenly becomes almost impossible. I don't know if it is a mental or physical issue, but it does not really matter at this point.

Grade: D