Ravens Maul Raiders
The Ravens destroyed the Oakland Raiders 55-20, which set a franchise record for most points scored in a single game, as well as being an NFL high this year. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, Jacoby Jones ran a kickoff back that was 105 yard for a TD. The blowout was something of a rare occurrence due to the fact theta the AFC North-leading Ravens, won their previous five games by a total of 23 points. Coach John Harbaugh was very pleased with his team, and said "Obviously, that was a heck of a team victory. All three phases played exceptionally well, made plays, just real pleased with the way we played today and the way we finished. I thought we started fast. We finished well, and we played pretty good in between, which we haven't always done. So, that's a good step in the right direction"
Flacco and the resilient Baltimore offense made it look effortless against the struggling Raiders (3-6), who have given up at least 40 points in two straight games for the first time since 1962. The 55 points tied an Oakland record for points allowed, set in 1961 and matched in 1981. The Ravens won without DT Haloti Ngata and CB Jimmy Smith. Harbaugh proclaimed : "We are trying to get Haloti healthy. He didn't practice this week much, but we felt like it would be smart to dress him because he is a difference maker for us.. The Jimmy situation was a little bit different. Jimmy was having a tough time getting warmed up as pre-game was going along. It just did not work for him with the tightness in his groins that he has been experiencing. So, we're going to have to take a hard look at that Monday and just see where he's at. This is the first time it has gotten to the point where he just couldn't get loose enough to play. We pushed it right up until game time, we activated him. We felt like he would get loose as he has in the previous pre-games, and it just did not. So, we tried him again at halftime, we brought him out at halftime, and he was unable to get loose enough. So, we're going to have to look at that hard tomorrow. No other injuries, nothing of significance."
Harbaugh, who refuted any accusations that he was "running up the score " is now 28-5 against sub-500 teams …and 9-1 All- time versus the AFC West. But up next are the Steelers , twice in the next 3 weeks .
WATCH VIDEO: Harbaugh On Ravens/Raiders
Ravens Safety Ed Reed did have an off day, and conceded as much after failing to tackle Darius Heyward –Bey on a 2nd quarter TD catch : "I was having a pretty bad game as an individual, and I really didn't want to go back out there as a competitor playing the way I was playing today. But we've got guys that can step up, step in, and needed to get those reps and see what other guys can do. But coach just pulled me out, which was good, but we were having a pretty good game. Hats off to the Raiders, and we're glad to get the win." With the victory, the Ravens are 7-2 and remain in first place in the AFC North. They also demonstrated plenty of much needed discipline , committing a season low 4 penalties .
WATCH VIDEO: Ed Reed On His Game & Injury
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