Ray Rice and the Ravens offense was too much for the Bengals on Monday night. (Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE)
BALTIMORE – The Ravens’ offense was nothing short of explosive in its 44-13 victory over Cincinnati on Monday night.
Baltimore tallied 430 total yards of offense, which included a stellar performance from quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco, operating out of a no-huddle offense, completed 21 of 29 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Baltimore’s 44 points are the third most in franchise history.
Despite the final score, the contest was close with 8:59 remaining in the third quarter. Down 17-10 to start the second half, the Bengals drove to Baltimore’s 7-yard line, and faced a third-and-goal. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton took the snap but couldn’t find anyone open, and tried to scramble to the end zone. He fell short at the 1-yard line, and the Bengals elected to kick a field goal.
That was the closest Cincinnati would get.
Flacco then engineered a nine-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a touchdown reception by tight end Dennis Pitta. Pitta finished with a career-high 73 receiving yards. Baltimore added a field goal on its next drive to go up 27-13. Baltimore then put the game away with an Ed Reed interception that he took back 34 yards for a touchdown.
Dalton finished the game 22-for-37 for 221 yards and an interception.
Flacco completed 12 of 15 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown in the first half to help give the Ravens a 17-10 lead at intermission.
His most impressive first-half throw came at the 12:25 mark in the second quarter, when he launched a ball 34 yards down the field to receiver Anquan Boldin, who slipped behind two Bengals defenders for a touchdown to put Baltimore up 17-3.
The Ravens opened in their new-look no-huddle offense and maintained a fast pace. Baltimore’s first play from scrimmage was a 52-yard completion from Flacco to receiver Torrey Smith that moved the ball down to the Cincinnati 27-yard line. However, the Ravens were forced to kick a field goal four plays later, which rookie kicker Justin Tucker converted from 46 yards away.
Baltimore’s defense then forced a quick three-and-out and moved the ball back down the field on offense. Running back Ray Rice scored on a seven-yard touchdown run at the 6:08 mark in the first quarter, capping off a 12-play, 63-yard drive.
The Bengals responded with a long drive that began at their own 8-yard line. Aided by a 19-yard reception by A.J. Green, Cincinnati drove down to Baltimore’s 16-yard line before stalling. Bengals kicker Mike Nugent made a 34-yard field goal to give Cincinnati its first points of the game.
Cincinnati took some momentum back by adding a touchdown with 18 seconds left in the first half. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for a six-yard score on a fourth-and-1.
Dalton ended the first half 12-for-19 for 112 yards. Receiver Andrew Hawkins entered halftime leading Cincinnati in receiving with 47 yards on four catches.
Notes: Reed’s 34 interception yards gives him 1,497 career interception yards, an NFL record. Rod Woodson had held the record with 1,483. … Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins recorded two sacks, the first time he’s done that in his career. … Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who started every game for Baltimore in 2011, did not start. Michael Oher started at left tackle, Ramon Harewood started at left guard and rookie Kelechi Osemele started at right tackle. … Ray Rice’s touchdown in the first quarter was the 30th he’s scored in his career.
