1st Quarter: The Bengals receive the kick and after a delay of game penalty on 3rd & 6 are forced to punt after a three-and-out. The Bengals defense bends but does not break, forcing a punt from Baltimore that starts them at their own 12-yard line.

The Bengals work very slowly on offense, using nearly the entire play clock on most of their plays, abandoning any attempt to use the no-huddle offense they'd showcased in the pre-season. Their first first-down of the game comes on a pass to TE Jermaine Gresham but the offense can't advance any further.

On Baltimore's ensuing drive, starting at their own 28, the Cincinnati defense gets good penetration, knocking Flacco's first-down passing attempt down at the line of scrimmage. After a three-and-out at the 6:10 mark, the Bengals start their first sustained drive of the game, utilizing Shipley, Benson, Ochocinco, and Owens over thirteen plays. The quarter ends with the Bengals at the Baltimore 18-yard-line.

2nd Quarter: The drive stalls inside the Ravens red zone, and kicker Mike Nugent kicks a 35-yarder to put his team up 3-0 at the 14:52 mark.

The key now is for the Bengals to get the Ravens offense off the field with tough, physical defense. Suspect kickoff coverage gives Baltimore the ball at their own 30. Joe Flacco throws his first completion of the day at the 14:40 mark, followed by another short completion to fullback Le'Ron McClain. His following passed is a forced attempt over the middle that is intercepted by Adam Jones and returned to Baltimore's 35-yard-line. A huge shift in momentum has occurred.

Penalties continue to hurt the Bengals. On a second and short, a holding call backs them up 10 yards, negating a first-down carry by Bernard Scott. The first big offensive play ensues, as Palmer hooks up with Terrell Owens on a 22-yard first-down pass. Two plays later, on 3rd & 1, a false start backs Cincinnati up 5 yards. Palmer misses Ochocinco over the middle in the end zone and they are forced to kick a field goal to go up 6-0 with 9:46 remaining in the half. A missed opportunity to score a touchdown with great field position could cost them here.

The Ravens return the kickoff to the 35-yard-line (more bad coverage) and get to work, gaining a first down and then moving the ball into Cincinnati territory on a run by Willis McGahee. They stall, though, and are forced to punt, pinning the Bengals at their own 12-yard-line.

The rest of the half, both teams exchange lifeless possessions, with the Ravens accumulating two first downs while the Bengals earn none. At the end of the half both teams play it safe and the score is 6-0 Cincinnati at the halfway point.