BALTIMORE -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Baltimore Ravens' 23-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals:
Quarterback Joe Flacco didn't try to put a positive spin on the team's near comeback against the Bengals. "We just played about as bad as you can in terms of just simple fundamental things -- throwing, running routes, staying up, just running the ball, couple mental busts," Flacco said about the offense that managed 97 yards and no points in the first half. Flacco also kicked himself for running out of time in the first half, which didn't give the Ravens a chance at a field goal. "That was probably the stupidest play I've ever made in football," he said.
Cornerback Chykie Brown said he was expecting a deep pass when he got beat for a 77-yard touchdown pass to Bengals receiver A.J. Green. "I have to play better technique," said Brown, who replaced the injured Lardarius Webb (back). "I've got to stay on top of the man, and that didn't happen. He made a great play, and that's A.J. Green."
Coach John Harbaugh confirmed that running back Bernard Pierce was benched after he fumbled at the Ravens' 20-yard line in the second quarter. "We're not too enamored with fumbles," Harbaugh said. "It's not what we're looking for from our running backs."