The Bengals' game Sunday started emotionally with a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It ended emotionally, too, with the Bengals upsetting defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore, 21-10, at Paul Brown Stadium.

Pre-game ceremonies at Paul Brown Stadium. (Steven M. Herppich/Cincinnati Enquirer photo)

SET AS WALLPAPER: Click here for bigger image, then right click to Set As Wallpaper

        More than 200 firefighters from Greater Cincinnati stretched sections of a 30-yard U.S. flag across the field before the game. Rock star Jon Bon Jovi sang “America the Beautiful” on a video feed, and the 49,632 fans observed a moment of silence.

        “We played a very good game, a very hard game against a great team,” said Bengals coach Dick LeBeau, who is 6-6 since getting his first win as a head coach last season against Denver.

        Fans appreciated the effort as well.

        “What I like most about the game today was that the Bengals showed their heart,” said Josh Stevenson, 26, of Blue Ash. “They may not be the most talented team, but they've got to be one of the toughest. They never gave up today.”

        The Bengals scored two touchdowns the first two times they had the ball in the third quarter to erase a 3-0 Baltimore halftime lead. Quarterback Jon Kitna threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tailback Corey Dillon, and Kitna then ran 2 yards on a quarterback draw for a 14-3 lead.

        Baltimore closed to 14-10 early in the fourth quarter, but Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes sealed the victory with a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Bengals their final 21-10 margin.

        Cincinnati capitalized on six Baltimore turnovers and turned the ball over only once.

        “Two and 0,” said Bob Truman, 28, of Erlanger. "What else do you have to say? There were a lot of fans here today, but I don't think too many of them, including myself, really thought they would win today. It was a great win.”

        The Bengals, 2-0 for the first time since 1995, play Sunday at San Diego, also 2-0.

       
       Randy Tucker of the Enquirer contributed to this report.
       

Toughness, turnovers key win vs. Ravens Daugherty: How about that, Elvis? Sullivan: New outlook, newfound success Bengals Notebook Bengals report card Offensive line up to challenge Rackers has worst day as pro Smith on NFL debut: 'It was awesome' Victim salute, upset win put emotions on display Four's not a crowd in Indy Jaguars' Taylor among NFL's injured Super loss for New Orleans?

Good start, bad end for Reds' Dessens
Bad break for Boone - again
Reds notebook
Athletics wrap up wild-card berth
Long (ball) day for Bonds, Sosa
Earnhardt rolls at Dover
College football roundup
Huggins, Bearcats pursue recruit
Div. II, III boys sectional golf on tap

• Return to Bengals front page...