Ravens center Jason Brown heard plenty of talking from Cincinnati defenders during his team’s 17-10 victory at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
“[Running back Le’Ron McClain] got hit pretty hard out there because he was talking smack,” he said. “They gave it to him. They were just dog-cussing him, talking about his momma and everything.”
But the Ravens let their actions speak louder than words as the offensive line paved the way for 229 yards rushing on 46 carries. McClain was a battering ram most of the afternoon, as the converted fullback had 19 carries for 86 yards.
The Ravens (1-0) must now prove they can succeed away from Baltimore, as they head to Houston to play the Texans (0-1) on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. The Texans yielded 183 yards rushing to the Steelers in a 38-17 loss in Pittsburgh. The Ravens have lost their past five road games dating to last season.
The offensive line, which was without multiple starters for most of the preseason, was the team’s strength against the Bengals. It played a major reason in the Ravens’ controlling the clock for the game’s final seven minutes, 15 seconds.
“That’s heart,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We were just as tired as they were and our guys found it down within themselves.”
McGahee still sidelined
The production of McClain and rookie Ray Rice, who ran for 64 yards on 22 carries in place of the injured Willis McGahee, means McGahee may have to compete for carries when he returns. McGahee, who rushed for 1,207 yards and seven touchdowns on 294 carries en route to making the Pro Bowl last season, has been slow to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last month. McGahee was in uniform for Sunday’s game, but spent most of the afternoon twirling his gloves and encouraging teammates.
“We were concerned about the knee and the fact that he didn’t play a lot,” Harbaugh said. “We were hopeful to get him into the game at some point in time, but the way the game shook out, we were unable to do it. He’ll practice in a more physical manner this week, and then we should have him ready to go [against Houston].”
Tackling success
Linebacker Jarret Johnson is ready to make fans forget about last season. Johnson struggled as a first-year starter last year after replacing Pro Bowler Adalius Thomas, who signed as a free agent with New England.
But on Sunday against the Bengals, Johnson led the team with six tackles and added a sack and quarterback hurry.
“When it’s Double J’s time to make a play,” defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said, “he’ll make it.”
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