| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Jeff Blake stunned the NFL's top-ranked
defense early and then again late, but the Baltimore Ravens pulled
out the victory anyway.
Matt Stover kicked a 50-yard field goal as time ran out Sunday,
giving the Ravens a 34-31 victory over the surprising Cincinnati
Bengals.
|  | | Ravens kicker Matt Stover celebrates after kicking a 50-yard field goal in the final seconds to beat Cincinnati. |
The Ravens (4-6) watched in disbelief as their defense was
shredded early and then failed to hold a 17-point lead, giving
Cincinnati a chance to go ahead in the closing minutes.
A goal-line stand forced the Bengals (1-10) to settle for a
tying field goal, and a clutch drive led by limping Tony Banks set
up Stover's winning kick.
"This is the first game where our defense didn't play well,"
said Rod Woodson, who got his 50th career interception. "They had
the momentum and they were running with it. We were lucky to hold
them with the goal-line stand because we didn't play well."
Blake threw three touchdown passes against a defense that had
allowed only two touchdowns in its last three games, and Craig
Yeast ran a punt back 86 yards to put the Bengals in position for
an improbable victory by a team that has struggled on offense most
of the season.
"Sometimes things work, sometimes they don't," coach Bruce
Coslet said. "Occasionally we do something right, but we still
fell short."
One yard short.
After Ray Lewis was called for interference, setting up a
first-and-goal, the Ravens stopped Clif Groce for no gain and
dropped Corey Dillon for a yard loss. Woodson then jarred the ball
loose from Tony McGee at the back of the end zone, forcing
Cincinnati to settle for Doug Pelfrey's tying 19-yard field goal
with 1:50 left.
It marked the third week in a row that Cincinnati failed to get
into the end zone after a first-and-goal from the 1.
"It's tough to score any time when you're on the goal line,"
Blake said. "You don't just walk in, especially against the No. 1
defense in the NFL."
The Ravens felt they'd just gotten a reprieve.
"That goal-line stand was the key to the game," said Duane
Starks, who returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown as
the Ravens pulled ahead. "That showed out defense is a great
defense, even if we didn't play that well."
Banks completed 6 of 8 passes to get the Ravens in position for the
victory, and Stover matched his season high with a 50-yard kick as
time ran out.
|
GAME NOTES |
|
Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware dislocated his troublesome right shoulder and left the game in the first quarter. The same
thing happened in a game in Cleveland two weeks earlier. He'll be
examined again Monday.
Rod Woodson joined Lem Barney as the only NFL players with 50 interceptions, 1,000 interception return yards and at least seven touchdowns.
Ravens tight end A.J. Ofodile partially tore a ligament in his knee. It was too early to tell whether he'll miss a few games.
The Bengals have failed to sell out five of their six home games, the only exception a game against Pittsburgh that attracted thousands of Steelers fans.
The Bengals have lost 11 consecutive home games and 20 of their last 22 games overall.
Two banners ripped GM Mike Brown for refusing to let
the Reds install grass for next season at Cinergy Field.
|
Stover kicked five field goals in a 1995 game for Cleveland in
the same stadium, including a game-winner in overtime at the same
end of the field. The conditions were right for a repeat -- a warm
evening and a gentle breeze at his back.
"I like Cincinnati," Stover said. "The conditions today were
fantastic. I went out and hit it easy. I didn't have to bring out
the long club. I brought out the 5-iron and put it in there. It
barely made it, but it was right down the middle."
Up to that point, it had been a wild match between Blake and the
Ravens' vaunted defense, which had allowed only two field goals and
a franchise-best 132 yards a week earlier against Jacksonville.
Blake got the best of it in the first quarter, using play fakes
to freeze the defense and then throwing touchdown passes of 7 yards
to Carl Pickens and 23 yards to Darnay Scott for a 14-0 lead.
The Bengals' best quarter since their season opener gave them
their first lead in six weeks. They also led at halftime for the
first time all season, 14-10.
Woodson's 50th interception set up a pivotal touchdown and
Starks returned another interception 43 yards for a score seconds
later as the Ravens seemed to take control of the game. The two
touchdowns in a 55-second span put Baltimore up 31-14 with 4:38
left in the third quarter.
Against the Ravens' defense, it seemed to be plenty. The crowd
of about 35,000 started filing for the exits.
Blake had one surprise left. His 15-yard touchdown pass to Scott
cut it to 31-21, and Yeast's punt return gave the Bengals a second
chance midway through the fourth quarter.
Blake completed 20 of 39 for 246 yards, but both of his
interceptions cost dearly.
Banks was erratic, completing 24-of-40 for 274 yards. But he was
at his best in the last drive, maneuvering the Ravens into
field-goal position with one short completion after another on a
sore right ankle that he aggravated the previous series.
"I was in a little pain," Banks said. "I was happy to see
Matt bail me out."
| |
ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Baltimore Clubhouse
Cincinnati Clubhouse
Week 11 wrap-ups
Week 11 infirmary report
TJ's Take: 'Hawks circling
PrimeTime Players
Week 11 stats leaders
|
