Bengals 42 Ravens 29-WHO DEY!

There were a few things that stood out to me during the game yesterday.

• Carson Palmer is in the top three of the NFL when it comes to throwing the football. His 302 yard three touchdown performance yesterday was almost standard for Palmer who is having a breakout year.
• Rudi Johnson is not flashy, but he gets the job done. I still don't think he is worth the contract extension he received in the offseason, but he has shown the ability to wear teams down, and yesterday's 114 yard two touchdown effort was an example of that.
• The defense is still mediocre at best. Even though the game was well out of reach, it is unacceptable to allow the Ravens 29 points in the final quarter and a half. This was Kyle Boller, not Peyton Manning. It was a beaten down Jamal Lewis, not Edgerrin James. The Bengals allowed Boller to throw three second half touchdowns and Lewis to gain over 100 yards. It was the first time this season Baltimore broke the twenty point mark, making them the last NFL team to do so. The Bengals will NOT win a playoff game with this defense.
• It is scary how well opponent's tight ends play with Madieu Williams injured. Ohalete cannot cover anyone. He allowed Todd Heap to have a huge day going for over 80 yards and two touchdowns. This is not a good sign going into Pittsburgh where Heath Miller has been a TD machine.
• The Bengals' front four on defense are abysmal. They get no pass rush whatsoever, and they allow gaping holes for the running game. This problem needs to be addressed in the offseason if they want to be a legit Super Bowl contender.
• Odell Thurman has Pro Bowl potential. The play he made yesterday when he jumped the snap and forced the fumble is the type of play that big time players make. Thurman has the speed and mentality to dominate in this league for years to come.
• Even though he looked better in the second half, Kyle Boller is still horrible. Brian Billick needs to swallow his pride on this one and begin the search for a new QB in the offseason.
• Bring on the Steelers.