Offensive Woes Continue; Ravens Lose to Bengals 21-7
Lackluster offense can't reverse course as Boller replaces McNair in fourth quarter; Baltimore commits six turnovers
Shayne Graham kicked a team-record seven field goals, and the Bengals received a surprisingly efficient performance from their defense Sunday in a 21-7 win over the punchless Ravens.
Cincinnati (3-6) owned the league's 31st-ranked defense, was tied with winless Miami for most points allowed and had not yielded fewer than 20 points in any game this season. All that changed against the Ravens (4-5), who committed six turnovers.
"I think it says a lot for our team. Everyone's kind of put us in a hole right now," Graham said. "You have to give a lot of credit to our defense that everyone seems to be bashing right now. For them to get the ball where we had it for the field position says a lot."
Graham connected from 34, 19, 22, 35, 35, 21 and 33 yards. His seven field goals were one short of the NFL record set earlier this season by Tennessee's Rob Bironas, and Graham might have had the chance to tie the mark if the Bengals didn't run out the clock late in the game.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping, but there really wasn't enough time to do it and explain it with an ethical decision," he said. "With where the clock was, it just wouldn't have been right."
Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair struggled in a second straight start, passing for only 128 yards, losing two fumbles and throwing an interception before being replaced by Kyle Boller.
Boller's entrance in the fourth quarter brought cheers from what was left of a sellout crowd, but his first drive ended with an interception. He then engineered a 52-yard march that resulted in a meaningless 1-yard touchdown run by Willis McGahee with 1:56 left.
"Steve was a great quarterback, he still is a great quarterback and he will continue to be a moving force in this league," Ravens guard Jason Brown said. "Everybody has a bad day."
But they have been coming more frequently for McNair, who this season has thrown only two touchdown passes and committed 11 turnovers.
"This is probably the lowest point in my career," McNair said. "What do I need to do about it? I don't know."
Baltimore has been outscored 59-14 in its last two games.
Read More: Bengals hand Ravens third straight loss [AP]
Four downs: Ravens-Bengals Blog [Baltimore Sun]
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