Sunday, September 24, 2000
Ravens get back on track
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE — Coming off a game in which their offense sputtered and the defense was manhandled, the Baltimore Ravens were looking for a turnaround Sunday. Hello, Cincinnati!
Rookie Jamal Lewis ran for 116 yards and a touchdown to back a dominating effort by the Baltimore defense, and the Ravens forced four turnovers in a 37-0 rout of the hapless Bengals.
Tony Banks threw two touchdown passes for the Ravens (3-1), who were intent on bouncing back from a 19-6 defeat in Miami last week.
“We needed this for our confidence. We needed this, period,” said defensive tackle Rob Burnett, who knocked Cincinnati quarterback Akili Smith out of the game in the second quarter. “It's very gratifying to be able to throw a goose egg, especially after what happened last week.”
The Baltimore defense figured to have its way against the punchless Bengals. After Smith left with a concussion, it became a sure thing.
“We were concerned about Aliki because his athleticism. We were concerned about him getting out of the pocket and making big plays,” Burnett said.
Smith's replacement, the 240-pound Scott Mitchell, never got it going in his first NFL appearance in more than a year. Mitchell, who played in two games with Baltimore last year, went 14-for-23 for 97 yards.
“I can't say that I felt rusty, but I wasn't into the flow of the game,” he said. “We didn't have any rhythm or continuity to what we were doing.”
It was the Ravens' second shutout this season and their most lopsided win since starting play in Baltimore in 1996. Dating back to last season, Cincinnati has lost five straight, three by shutout.
Smith, the Bengals' second-year quarterback, left after being sacked by Burnett, who entered the backfield untouched before driving Smith into the ground. Smith walked off the field on his own, but did not return.
“I just remember getting hit, and laying on the ground, seeing stars, stomach hurt, throat hurt,” Smith said. “It was a pretty good shot, but I feel a lot better now.”
The Bengals managed only 31 yards in the first half and had as many turnovers as first downs (three). The Ravens, meanwhile, scored on four of their five possessions to take a 24-0 lead.
“We got kind of cold over there, the offense had the ball so long,” Baltimore defensive end Michael McCrary said. “It's a good feeling. The whole defense unit is merging together and the offense is clicking. You can't beat that.”
Baltimore set franchise records with fewest net yards allowed (94), fewest rushing yards allowed and fewest passing yardage (90). ... Woodson's interception was his 10th versus the Bengals, the most against any NFL team. ... The Bengals have lost five straight to the Ravens, including the last four in Baltimore. ... Baltimore's Qadry Ismail returned after missing one game with a knee injury. ... Cincinnati has yielded 16 sacks in three games. ... Baltimore OT Harry Swayne left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.
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Ravens get back on track
