CINCINNATI -- A few thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday:
What it means: The Ravens (5-3) gave first place in the AFC North back to the Bengals (4-2-1) after one week atop the division. It marked the first time since 2009 that the Ravens have been swept by the Bengals, and Baltimore falls to 2-2 in the AFC North. Ravens coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco have lost five of their seven trips to Cincinnati.
Controversial finish: It looked like Flacco had thrown a winning touchdown to Steve Smith with 32 seconds remaining. But Smith was called for offensive pass interference when he put his hands on safety George Iloka, who fell immediately. The Ravens were furious over the penalty, which negated an 80-yard touchdown that would've put them ahead 31-27.
Falter at the end: After coming back from six points down in the fourth quarter, the Ravens' defense couldn't finish off the game. The key play was a 53-yard Andy Dalton pass to Mohamed Sanu on third-and-10. Rookie safety Terrence Brooks got turned around on the pass. Then Dalton scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to put the Bengals up 27-24 with 57 seconds remaining. It was the Bengals' third red zone touchdown against the NFL's best red zone defense.
Causing turnovers: It looked like the Ravens were going to steal this game. Down 20-14 in the fourth quarter, the Ravens scored 10 points in two minutes, 32 seconds because of their clutch defense. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata forced a fumble, and linebacker C.J. Mosley delivered an interception (Matt Elam stripped the receiver) to set up the two late scores.
Stock watch: Rising -- running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. The rookie fourth-round pick stepped up in a game when Bernard Pierce was a healthy scratch. He scored two touchdowns. Taliaferro wasn't touched on his 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Flacco picked off: The Bengals converted 10 points off Flacco's two interceptions. Flacco made a poor decision in the third quarter, when linebacker Emmanuel Lamur only needed to reach out for the pick. Then, on the next drive, Flacco was intercepted by Adam Jones when wide receiver Torrey Smith stopped running his route after getting hit on the head. Flacco has thrown 11 interceptions in seven games in Cincinnati.
Injuries pile up: Cornerback Jimmy Smith sprained his left foot on the opening drive and didn't return. That started a painful day for the Ravens, who watched guard Marshal Yanda (left knee) and wide receiver Torrey Smith (head) go to the locker room with injuries. Yanda came back to play the entire second half.
Game ball: Ngata. He nearly changed the game in the fourth quarter when he forced Dalton to fumble. That led to the Ravens' first lead of the game. Showing how much impact he can make when healthy, Ngata now has become a turnover machine with two interceptions and a forced fumble this season.
What's next: The Ravens finish up a tough road stretch by playing at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. This is the Ravens' fourth road game in five weeks.