Bengals vs. Ravens: 10 Things We Learned from Cincinnati's 31-24 Loss

Following a second consecutive loss to yet another AFC North powerhouse, the Cincinnati Bengals seem to finally be adhering to expectations.

The Baltimore Ravens defense came up with a sack on the game's final play to end yet another fourth-quarter comeback and deny Cincy a chance at taking the game to overtime.

Despite a soul-crushing loss for Bengals fans, there's a lot to take away from this one, so here's your weekly breakdown of what we've learned.

Andrew Hawkins Is a Fine Football Player

I have to admit, when I saw Andrew Hawkins make the Bengals' final roster, I was largely uninterested. 

How wrong I was to overlook this guy. The man known as 'Little Hawk' has been a reliable and tough addition to the Bengals' wide receiving corps, and continues to make plays in his limited field time.

A two-time Grey Cup Champion with the Montreal Alouettes, and younger brother of former Bengal Artrell Hawkins, Little Hawk has provided the Bengals with an exciting and unexpected extra weapon on offense. Hawkins led the team in receptions last week at home to Pittsburgh, and put in another solid showing in Baltimore, with four receptions for 47 yards.

His emergence is bittersweet, as his increasing targets have come from the absence of A.J. Green.

Hawkins has proved he has some hot hands these last two weeks, and he  should see more targets in the coming weeks.

Despite his contribution to two losing efforts, No.16 has certainly caught the fans' and his coaches' attention.

The Offensive Line Is Struggling

Toward the end of Sunday afternoon's encounter, Andy Dalton was flushed out of the pocket with embarrassing frequency. 

The Cincy offensive line really struggled against the Baltimore Ravens, and it led to Andy Dalton making some rookie mistakes.

Andrew Whitworth is frequently labeled as one of the league's best lineman, but he didn't show it today, and the frequency with which he has given up penalties in the last few weeks has been disappointing.

The defensive front has found its identity; now it's time for the offensive line to find its identity.

Jerome Simpson Stepped Up

Jerome Simpson really stepped up this week, providing some of Sunday's highlight-reel catches, and was a real asset in the Bengals' late comeback attempt.

Simpson has a lot of talent, but has been unfocused and sloppy in recent weeks. He turned it around in Baltimore, and provided Bengals fans with peace of mind in A.J. Green's absence.

Rome had eight receptions for 152 yards, punctuated by a 43-yard reception that put the Bengals within a shot of tying the game up at the death.

It has been a season of ups and downs for Simpson, and you have to hope his big day in Baltimore is a sign of things to come.

I called Simpson a liability not long ago. He proved me wrong against Baltimore, and let's hope it stays that way. 

The Secondary Is a Cause for Concern

Now, there might be some who say Leon Hall was sorely missed in this one, but on the whole it was the Bengals' safeties and Nate Clements who stunk up the backfield.

Adam Jones had a commendable return game, given his limited practice time, highlighted by a touchdown-saving hair-tackle on Torrey Smith.

Ravens rookie Torrey Smith largely had his way with veteran CB Nate Clements, making the normally solid CB look tired.

Reggie Nelson is a good player, but he and Chris Crocker looked completely absent against the Ravens, and Joe Flacco took advantage.

'Busted coverage' is becoming all too common of a phrase in Bengaldom...

Benson Is Getting It Done

Another Bengal who has had his ups and downs in 2011 is Cedric Benson.

No. 32 has lacked the x-factor he had in 2009 this year, and many fans, myself included, have stated that the Bengals need to draft an RB next year.

Ced didn't exactly light it up in this one, but he did put up two TDs for the Bengals, along with 41 yards rushing for the day. 

The increase in carries that Bernard Scott is seeing is affecting Benson's numbers, but the powerhouse back impressed where he needed to, and will continue to be leaned on going forward.

We're Still a Work in Progress

It's at times like these that we have to stop and look at how far the Bengals have come this year.

From written off to 6-4, Andy Dalton & Co. have really exceeded expectations.

We have to remember that we are still a team in its infancy, and to expect too much right away would be silly and detrimental to the team's development.

Win or lose, we are learning week by week, and yes, Jay Gruden may try something ridiculous every so often (like having Bernard Scott throw the ball), but we have to start somewhere.

These Bengals are stepping up to the plate, and fast, and to perform like we have against big 'n' nasty Baltimore and Pittsburgh teams is really very promising.

Taylor Mays Deserves a Shot

Taylor Mays had been almost forgotten on the Bengals roster up until now.

That changed on Sunday, when he hit Tom Zibikowski like a freight train on the kick return following Cedric Benson's first touchdown.

With the Bengals secondary looking particularly shaky, some lively competition for starting spots could produce better play from Crocker and Nelson, and could provide Mays with a shot at making the starting roster.

His big hit was enough to make people take notice, and with the amount of missed tackles the secondary is making, the possibility of the addition of Mays to the starting roster could light a fire under Crocker and Nelson.

Whether extensively or in a limited capacity, Mays deserves a look.

Andy Dalton Missed A.J. Green

The loss of A.J. Green is no excuse for the Bengals, but Andy Dalton certainly missed his No. 1 receiver on Sunday.

Dalton managed to establish a connection with Jerome Simpson, while getting solid contributions out of Jermaine Gresham, Andre Caldwell and Andrew Hawkins intermittently, but he didn't have the ace in the sleeve that A.J. Green provides, and it showed.

When Dalton went long to Caldwell in double coverage in the end zone, only to be picked off by Ed Reed, we saw just how important A.J. is to this offense. Caldwell was unable to get anywhere near the height that his two cover men mustered, and looked really small.

It was in the same situation last week that Green scored the TD that saw him injure his right knee.

A.J. Green is the x-factor on offense, and the danger he threatens is instrumental in not only his own game, but the rest of the offense's as well.  

The Bengals Can Still Make the Playoffs

Despite back-to-back losses, the Bengals remain one game ahead of the AFC's other wild card teams.

With Cleveland, Arizona, St.Louis and the Matt Schaub-less Houston Texans still on the cards, the Bengals could potentially get four more wins.

There is also the possibility that Cincy will knock off either Pittsburgh or Baltimore in their return games, considering how close both meetings have been.

The Bengals are very much at a cross-roads. One path leads to the playoffs, the other leads to everything the 'NFL media' expects. The road isn't particularly tough, and it will come down to how much they want it.

You Can't Build a Team on Comeback Wins

Andy Dalton looked great in the game's final moments, leading a fierce comeback, only to fall short in heartbreaking fashion.

Everybody loves a come-from-behind win, but the Bengals of 2011 seem to be making it a habit. 

It may be something they can overcome when playing teams like Tennessee, but when you get a little tired and ease up, letting teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore pull away, they are not going to make a fourth-quarter comeback easy.

The Bengals play their best football when they're down, and that is something they need to change. It shouldn't take a 10-point deficit and seconds left in the game to get you to bring your A-game.

Cincy need to stop digging themselves holes week in, week out, because if they want to hold their own with elite teams, they need to play good football without being punched in the mouth first.