Tom Barndt loses his helmet while tackling Jamal Lewis. (AP photos)

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        BALTIMORE — The Bengals tied a club record for futility Sunday with their 37-0 loss, but the scoring margin only begins to tell how completely the Ravens dominated.

        Cincinnati was limited to four yards rushing and 94 yards in total offense.

        The 0-3 Bengals got their first offensive first down with two minutes remaining in the first half, after Baltimore already had scored 24 points.

        The 3-1 Ravens had the ball for 38:44, had 391 yards of offense and were successful on 12 of 17 third-down plays.

        The Bengals now have been shut out in consecutive games for the first time in team history and have been held scoreless in three of their past five games, dating back to Weeks 16 and 17 of the 1999 season. They have scored a total of 14 points in those five games.

        The 2000 Bengals haven't scored in 10 consecutive quarters, which cover 34 possessions in a row. They have scored one time in 37 possessions this season. They have been outscored 74-7 in three games.

        “We're at the bottom. Ain't nowhere to go but up,” said

Artrell Hawkins loses his helmet while tackling Jamal Lewis. | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati quarterback Akili Smith, who suffered a mild concussion when he was flattened by Ravens defensive end Rob Burnett on a second-quarter sack. Smith didn't return.

        “It was as thorough a beating as we could ever see, from start to finish, on offense and defense,” Bengals President Mike Brown said before leaving the press box. “They dominated the game.”

        Cincinnati coach Bruce Coslet declined to answer questions after the game. He made a nine-second statement.

        “I'm going to be short,” Coslet said. “You saw the game. Congratulations to the Ravens. They played a heck of a football game, and we didn't play very well at all. I'll just leave it at that.”

        The Ravens scored a touchdown with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and added a field goal with 1:57 left. Coslet ran off the field without shaking the hand of opposing coach Brian Billick.

SUNDAY'S LOWS

• Only 4 yards rushing   • Only 94 yards total offense   • 7 first downs to Baltimore's 27   • Only 3 plays of as many as 10 yards   • Ran only 2 plays in Baltimore territory; both were turnovers   • 37-point margin of loss tied for worst ever   • Was Baltimore's biggest margin of victory ever   • Had ball 21:16 to 38:44 for Baltimore

SEASON LOWS

• Shut out for second straight game and third time in five games dating back to last season   • Outscored 74-7 in three games   • Haven't scored since the second quarter of season opener   • 0-3 start is team's fifth since 1991   • 2-14 in August and September under Bruce Coslet   • Franchise QB Akili Smith has 40.4 QB rating — and now, a concussion   • Pro Bowl RB Corey Dillon has 73 yards and a 2.5 average

        Some Bengals players were upset with what they said was poor sportsmanship on Baltimore's part. Billick challenged a goal-line pass completion that was ruled short of the end zone with 2:01 to play. Billick also had a heated exchange with officials after the Ravens' Priest Holmes was penalized for unnecessary roughness on first down at the Bengals 1-yard line. Several players, including Bengals strong safety Cory Hall, had to be separated.

        “The score is 34-0, and there's an altercation. Who do you think instigates it?” Billick said. “They (game officials) have to understand the circumstances a little bit more.”

        Hall said he will remember how the Ravens ran up the score when they come to Paul Brown Stadium for a Nov. 5 rematch

        “Definitely they were running it up,” Hall said. “And, you know what, we have to play them twice. We're going to play them again. I know me, personally, I won't forget that. It got kind of heated down there and was really uncalled for.”

        Baltimore, coming off a 19-6 loss at Miami, wanted to re-establish itself as a Super Bowl contender Sunday at Cincinnati's expense.

        “They wanted to make a statement,” Hall said. “But have class. "You guys were winning the game, have class about it.' We'll meet again. I can't make any promises. It's got to get better. Our backs are against the wall.”

Clif Groce is topped cold on third-and-1. | ZOOM |

        In addition to scoring on their final two drives, the Ravens scored the first three times they had the ball. Their first two touchdowns came 54 seconds apart. After Baltimore quarterback Tony Banks completed an 8-yard scoring pass Travis Taylor, the Bengals' Tremain Mack fumbled the kickoff. Baltimore's O.J Brigance recovered at the 27. Three plays later, rookie running back Jamal Lewis ran in from the 8.

        Lewis ran 25 times for 116 yards.

        Mack, who was a Pro Bowl kick returner last season, was benched after the fumble, his second in two games that led to points for opponents. Wide receiver Damon Griffin and cornerback Rodney Heath fielded the remaining Baltimore kickoffs.

        Mack's fumble was one of three first-half turnovers in a span of five possessions. Backup quarterback Scott Mitchell, who replaced Smith and was 14-of-23 for 97 yards, three two interceptions in the second quarter.

        With Mitchell at quarterback, the Bengals' deepest penetration into Baltimore territory was the 34-yard line with 11:30 left in the game. A fourth-down pass from Mitchell to Danny Farmer was incomplete.

        The Bengals had only three plays of as many as 10 yards — passes to Clif Groce (14 yards), Ron Dugans (12) and Nick Williams (10).

Akili Smith is down for the count with a concussion. | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati possessions ended in four punts, two interceptions, two lost fumbles, two unsuccessful fourth-down plays and the game's final play.

        The loss was the most lopsided since the Bengals lost 44-7 at home on Sept.28, 1986 to the Chicago Bears.

        j Cincinnati has not defeated a team with a winning record on the road since Dec.2, 1990 at Pittsburgh.

        Sunday's game at Baltimore is the Bengals' last pre-October game of the season. Including 1991, they are 7-31 in August and September, and Coslet's record in those months is 2-14.

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