Gut-wrenching win by Ravens over Bengals, 31-24…

It was a prototypical “total team effort”— by both teams.

It was also a game that could have been decided by a “hair-tackle”— a legal hair-grabbing tackle by the Bengals secondary that saved a sure TD by Torrey Smith (who may have to consider shearing his rastafarian locks)…and resulted in a Joe Flacco INT two plays later.

Playing without middle linebacker Ray Lewis for the first time in 58 games, the Ravens (7-3) nearly blew a 17-point lead in the final 14 minutes, yielded 483 yards and let rookie quarterback Andy Dalton throw for 373.

But Baltimore got 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Ray Rice, and the defense made big plays when it counted most. After Rice was stuffed on a third-and-1 with just over two minutes left, he remained confident. “I just looked at the clock and I said, `Our defense will get it done,” he recalled. “That’s the faith I have in our guys.”

Even without Lewis, who watched from the sideline after being placed on the inactive list with a toe injury. The Ravens’ spiritual leader and leading tackler saw his unit pick off three passes and turn in a game-saving goal-line stand in the final minute. Down 31-24, Cincinnati reached the Baltimore 7 before Terrell Suggs collared Dalton, who was called for intentional grounding. On fourth-and-goal, Dalton was sacked by Pernell McPhee.

The Bengals (6-4) needed seven points because on the previous series, an apparent 9-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to Jermaine Gresham was overturned by a replay that determined the receiver didn’t hold onto the ball at the end of a juggling catch. The Bengals settled for a field goal with 5:32 remaining. “When the receiver went to the ground, he had the ball in his right hand,” referee Ron Winter said. “The ball touched the ground and his hand came off the ball.”

Baltimore is locked in a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the AFC North, but the Ravens own the tiebreaker by virtue of their two wins over the Steelers. “No. 1 in the division, that’s huge,” Suggs said. “Now we’re the master of our destiny.”

Even though it wasn’t a banner day for the defense, the three interceptions set up two touchdowns. “Whenever we can get turnovers, it definitely makes everybody’s job easier,” cornerback Cary Williams said. “It’s just being able to capitalize on opportunities, and we did that today.”

Dalton went 24 for 45 with a touchdown. Cincinnati was without standout rookie wide receiver A.J. Green, who hurt his right knee a week earlier in a loss to Pittsburgh. But the Bengals gave Baltimore all it could handle. “We’ve won six games to this point and we’ll win some more,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “We’ve just got to circle the wagons, lick our wounds and go.”

One week earlier, the Bengals came up short in rallying from a 14-0 deficit against Pittsburgh. It was more of the same against the Ravens. “It comes down to the fourth quarter. That’s how every game’s been for us,” Dalton said. “We’ve got to start faster. We can’t wait around until the end of the game to pick it up, come out and get back in it. It’s definitely going to be a focus for us.”

Baltimore took a 24-14 lead on a 2-yard run by Rice late in the third quarter. The score came after Ravens rookie cornerback Jimmy Smith picked off a pass and returned it 16 yards before fumbling. The loose ball was recovered at the Cincinnati 2 by teammate Brendon Ayanbadejo in a pile that included Winter. The Bengals’ following possession ended with an interception by Lardarius Webb. On the next play, Torrey Smith split the Bengals’ two-deep zone and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to make it 31-14.

The Bengals responded with a five-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to Andre Caldwell, who slipped behind Jimmy Smith down the right sideline. But the Ravens held on, rebounding after a 22-17 loss at Seattle last week. Baltimore has won 12 straight following a defeat. “It’s good to bounce back,” Suggs said, “but let’s not take any more steps back.”

The Bengals punted six times in the first half, two short of their season high for an entire game. Cincinnati’s offense managed only 143 yards before halftime, 47 of those on one play. On the Bengals’ second possession, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins made a juggling catch for a 47-yard gain to set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Cedric Benson. 

The Ravens didn’t get past midfield until early in the second quarter, following a 15-yard punt by Kevin Huber. Starting at its 45, Baltimore picked up a first down before Flacco tossed a short pass to Anquan Boldin, who ran the final 20 yards for a 35-yard touchdown.

Game notes
Former Ravens kicker Matt Stover was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony. … Ravens LB Jarret Johnson made his 74th consecutive start, breaking the franchise record previously held by Michael McCrary and Jamie Sharper. … Baltimore has won seven straight at home and 15 of 16.

Team Stat Comparison

Passing Leaders

Rushing Leaders

Receiving Leaders

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER				CIN	BAL
	TD	08:17	Cedric Benson 7 Yd Run (Mike Nugent Kick)	7	0
SECOND QUARTER				CIN	BAL
	TD	11:17	Anquan Boldin 35 Yd Pass From Joe Flacco (Billy Cundiff Kick)	7	7
	TD	08:33	Ray Rice 1 Yd Run (Billy Cundiff Kick)	7	14
THIRD QUARTER				CIN	BAL
	FG	10:50	Billy Cundiff 22 Yd	7	17
	TD	06:51	Cedric Benson 3 Yd Run (Mike Nugent Kick)	14	17
	TD	00:36	Ray Rice 2 Yd Run (Billy Cundiff Kick)	14	24
FOURTH QUARTER				CIN	BAL
	TD	14:02	Torrey Smith 38 Yd Pass From Joe Flacco (Billy Cundiff Kick)	14	31
	TD	10:59	Andre Caldwell 49 Yd Pass From Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent Kick)	21	31
	FG	05:32	Mike Nugent 27 Yd	24	31