Ravens 16, Patriots 15
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Ravens defensive back Ronnie Prude intercepted New England quarterback Kevin O’Connell with just under two minutes remaining at the Patriot’s 28-yard line to secure the team’s 16-15 win in John Harbaugh’s coaching debut.
RAVENS FANS CHEERED …
Second-year receiver Yamon Figurs, who demonstrated his blazing speed on a 52-yard punt return and a 48-yard kickoff return. Figurs, who became the first player in Ravens history to return a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in the same season last fall, should flourish under Harbaugh, who spent the past 10 years coaching the Philadelphia Eagles’ special teams.
RAVENS FANS JEERED …
Harbaugh’s decision to throw the ball on fourth-and-inches on the Patriots nine-yard line with less than three minutes remaining. Former coach Brian Billick rarely relied on his offensive line, something the fans and players resented. With the perfect opportunity to develop confidence in his young unit, Harbaugh passed.
FANTASY STUD …
Ravens fullback Le’Ron McClain. Whenever the offensive star of a game is the fullback, the matchup ranks somewhere between “Saturday afternoon nap” and “works better than Tylenol PM.” But McClain scored Baltimore’s only touchdown and finished with six yards on three carries.
GOOD CALL …
Starting Kyle Boller at quarterback. Boller completed 11-of-15 passes for 102 yards with an interception and lost fumble. Many fans doubt if he can be the team’s offensive leader, but he was the Ravens most consistent passer and showed flashes of grasping the offense.
BAD CALL …
Giving nearly two quarters of play to quarterback Troy Smith, who failed to develop any kind of rhythm and looked increasingly lost as the game progressed with more and more substitutions. He finished 5-of-12 for a meager 74 yards. The only time he looked good was when he jokingly dove to catch an errant New England pass that sailed out of bounds while he was on the sidelines.
IF ONLY …
The Ravens could have run the football. The offensive line’s inability to create rushing lanes – just 35 yards on 21 carries as a team – put pressure on shaky quarterbacks and a questionable receiving corps, allowing the Patriots to nearly comeback to steal the win.
