I thought Harlan and Gannon were fine -- though I was disappointed it took them three quarters to notice that the Ravens moved Adam Terry to left tackle when they went with an unbalanced line.

Nice commentary. I would love to weigh in, but DISH network has decreed that Washington and Frederick Counties are in the DC viewing area, so I was stuck watching the Jets and Dolphins. I was under the impression that most of Maryland (save PG and Montgomery counties) was technically part of the Ravens' market. Therefore, I'm stuck watching whatever the D.C. CBS affiliate decides to air. If my impression is correct, doesn't this violate some sort of NFL agreement?

I thought Harlan and Gannon were great. But my standards were significantly lowered after sitting through the Comcast Sports telecast of the Maryland-Middle Tennessee State game Saturday evening. The most amateurish production and commentating I have witnessed in quite some time, but consistent with Maryland's performance on the field.

But were they right about Suggs lining up on Houshmandzadeh? On the wide angle shot during which they explained that, the Raven lined up there didn't get to the ball, whereas Suggs clearly broke up the play in prior views.

They also said, "That's what happens when you miss the preseason" after McAlister was penalized twice. However, the first penalty was dubious at best, and other than the second penalty, all Chris Mac did prior was completely shut down the receivers, pick off a ball, and return a fumble recovery for a bunch of yards. Not bad for a guy who was rusty from lack of preseason play!

Rich Gannon has Improved a great deal. I was not a fan when he first started as an anaylst, but he Is solid.

With all due respect, I find it hard to watch Ravens games with these CBS commentators. They constantly say statements that moments later are disproved, forcing them to quietly chqnge the subject and hope no one notices. On the occasional statement they do make that turns out the way they stated, it's usually wrong anyways. For example, every good Ravens fan knows that anytime a play is challenged it's not going to go their way. The "incomplete pass" that in actuality was a legitimate fumble, of course was overturned despite a severe lack of conclusive evidence proving otherwise. I'm not sure who said it, but one of the commentators said that he definitely didn't have possesion, even though he cradled the ball while taking several steps. Also, if they really wanted to impress me, how about for once, one play, one call, state that the referees blew it. The "block in the back" on the punt return was ridiculous, as were the two pass interference calls on C Mac. Meanwhile the O-line for the Bengals were holding constantly, and the DB's were all over the receivers anytime it was thrown.

Did anyone notice how Rich Gannon pronounces the word "offense" as "owl-fence"? I know it's a small thing, but after saying it dozens of times during the course of a game, I want to pull my hair out!

They gave the impression that they were hoping that the Bengals would make the plays needed to win. They were surely Bengals fans and their call of the game showed it .

I'd give Gannon the Captain Obvious award for the game. Though he was horrible.

Overall an OK game, but found it funny that Gannon stated "One of the reasons Flacco is 6-7 is because of the size of this offensive line. When you got guys 6-9 and 6-8 you have to see over them"... .as if Flacco grew taller just because his offensive line was tall.. Obviously what he meant was that one of the reasons the Ravens need a tall QB is because ...

To Robb:

This is the place to find out what affiliates are showing what game each Sunday. There was a lot in the area showing the Jets, most likely due to Favre. The Ravens viewing area is usually a bit bigger, although still one of the smallest in the NFL.

This site also has explanations for all the impossible-to-understand rules regarding home/secondary football markets and blackouts, etc.

http://the506.com/nflmaps/index.html

To Robb, DISH Network is horrible. If you had DirecTV you would have been able to see the game in Frederick and Washington counties as I have for many years now living in Hagerstown.

I believe the CBS commentators were the first to incorrectly call the REVERSE that Clayton scored on a DOUBLE REVERSE. I expect this kind of thing from sports writers and talking heads but even the actual ex-players who have commented on the highlights have incorrectly called it a double reverse. Repeatedly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_(American_football)

In defense of the announcers:

1. Clayton's TD was a reverse off an end-around (really a "WR-around") and the fact that the WR (Mason) started out going "in reverse" (backwards from the line of scrimmage) probably confused them. It sure confused the Bungles' defense!

2. Keep in mind that the primary TV audience for any ordinary game is the viewing area of the visiting team; we only get the feed when M&T is sold out. So the announcers were quite understandably pitching their comments toward Cincinnati fans. Compare the TV play-by-play for home vs. away games through the year and you will notice the announcers are much more pro-Crow when we're on the road.

Gannon and Harlan also said Ray Lewis forced that fumble on Chris Perry. Apparently he didn't. Perry tackled himself and forced himself to fumble without any Ravens defender doing it.

I was extemely disappointed that CBS did not discuss the game during halftime ... no analysis. Instead, we see Brady on his back being escorted off of the field in New England. Please, if you are going to cover our game, cover our game. After Boller bashing for years, I really wanted to hear Shannon Sharpe talk about Flacco.

p.s. -- Why is it that Notre Dame is on television and I have to search for a Comcast channel to watch Maryland? Talk about poor game coverage. Can Maryland get better coverage?

Hey Robb,

I know how you feel and am in the same situation. I bought a $25 antenna and watch the Ravens game with that. It's not always the clearest picture, but at least you can watch the game. If anyone has a better suggestion please post it.