Their usually reliable lineout was a mess, their kicking was poor and their loss may have come at cost to a key playmaker while another shone.
Here's what we're talking about after the Reds' loss to a quality Sharks outfit.
1. Has the Reds' loss come at a cost?
James O'Connor limping from the ground early in the second half was a said sight for the 13,323 fans that headed to Suncorp Stadium, their interest piqued after the team's record win over the Sunwolves last week.
As O'Connor applied ice to his right ankle, the Reds lost much of the directness with which they'd played in the first half, when the playmaker employed his short passing game to great effect.
The loss was certainly not the fault of his replacement Isaac Lucas, who put some neat kicks in behind the Sharks line to turn their outside men around but the Reds were cruelling most of their chances well before he got the chance to act.
Coach Brad Thorn hopes O'Connor's issue is merely a mild sprain that will heal in time for him to take his place for the clash against the Crusaders.
Thorn has showed plenty of belief in Lucas, with good reason, but will want O'Connor on deck for a clash against the champions that is shaping as season-defining for the Reds.
2. The Reds' lineout was a mess
Queensland pride themselves on their work at the set piece, with the lineout in particular providing opportunities for them to launch raids on their opponents as they no doubt planned against the Sharks.
But they were let down by the fundamentals, something they cannot afford if they want to be considered a finals team.
The usually reliable Alex Mafi had a horror night, botching several throws, while his jumpers were also at sixes and sevens, making handling errors and failing to secure ball in key attacking zones.
The Reds had two tries disallowed and the Sharks picked off an intercept but the turning point came in the first half when the home side turned the ball over on four occasions when in position to score.
Such hard-won opportunities can't be squandered at this level and the Sharks eventually made them pay.
3. Kicking remains an issue for Queensland
One scribe wrote the Reds' women's kicker Lori Cramer would have been a better option for the men given she slotted two near-sideline efforts in the preceding game that helped her become the greatest point-scorer in Super W history, while Jock Campbell managed just one of three conversions.
Any joking aside, kicking is becoming an issues for the Reds - both in general play and from set shots.
Campbell did convert both his penalty attempts but both he and O'Connor kicked poorly in general play - partly due to the outstanding rushing Sharks defence - and need to be more reliable from the back.
The super boot of Curwin Bosch picked off two long-range penalties that put the Sharks in front in the second half and applied scoreboard pressure to the already harried Reds.
Bryce Hegarty was dropped from the match-day 23 this week - a fair decision based on form - but his reliability with the boot could see him elevated again with Queensland unable to waste any chance for points.
4. Sharks attacking on the road
The lacklustre Reds performance may have been a consequence of their tough opening month but if they need role models for how to grind on the road, they have surely found them in the Sharks.
In four games in New Zealand and Australia, the South Africans head home to Durban with three wins, an epic return from their mammoth road trip.
Even resting superstars such as Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi, the Sharks were able to get the job done - something the Reds need to learn if they are to become a finals team.
While the Reds trip across the ditch this week is child's play compared to their South Africa-Argentina journey, it is crucial they are able to find their best form away from home to improve a 1-4 record that has their finals hopes on thin ice.
5. Can Tate McDermott join the Wallabies conversation?
Reds scrumhalf Tate McDermott dived over for his fourth try from his last four matches with an eyes-up play that has him being mentioned among Wallabies candidates.
Spying the narrowest of gaps, McDermott took a quick tap and darted through the narrowest of gaps, avoiding the attention of four defenders to plant the ball for a crucial try.
With Will Genia, who was in the stands on Saturday night, now playing in Japan and retired from Wallabies duty, McDermott will come under plenty of scrutiny from new coach Dave Rennie and his selectors and his performance against the Sharks will have done little to dent his appeal.
McDermott was rested for the final 25 minutes as Samoan international Scott Malolua took the field but is doing plenty earn attention in the right quarters.
