Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Whew! Ravens barely survive Cowboy ambush

51-yard Dallas FG attempt at end goes wide, saving 31-29 win for 5-1 Baltimore

Image: The Ravens' Jacoby JonesGetty Images

The Ravens' Jacoby Jones blows by Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey on the way to an NFL record-tying?108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter Sunday in Baltimore.

By DAVID GINSBURG

updated 4:26 p.m. ET Oct. 14, 2012

BALTIMORE - The Dallas Cowboys dominated the statistics, held the ball twice as long as Baltimore and amassed more yards rushing against the Ravens than any team ? ever.

Baltimore won anyway, thanks to Jacoby Jones' lengthy run into the NFL record book.

Jones tied an NFL mark with a 108-yard kickoff return, and the Ravens beat the Cowboys 31-29 Sunday for their 14th straight regular-season home win.

Dallas ran for 227 yards and totaled 481 yards offense. The Cowboys (2-3) also held the ball for more than 40 minutes. It wasn't enough.

After Dez Bryant scored on a 4-yard pass from Tony Romo with 32 seconds left to make it 31-29, the 2-point conversion pass zipped through the arms of the diving Bryant in the front left corner of the end zone.

Dallas recovered the onside kick, but Dan Bailey was wide left on a 51-yard field goal try with :06 remaining.

Ray Rice scored two touchdowns and Joe Flacco threw for a score to help the Ravens (5-1) secure their fourth consecutive victory and enhance their grip on first place in the AFC North. Baltimore's home winning streak is the longest current run in the NFL.

Jones' return tied the mark set by Ellis Hobbs of New England in 2007 against the Jets and tied in 2011 by Randall Cobb of Green Bay against New Orleans.

The score was essential to the Ravens, who mustered only 1 yard on three offensive plays in the third quarter.

After Jones' touchdown, the Cowboys launched an 80-yard march that ate up more than eight minutes. Romo connected with Bryant for 13 yards on a third-and-11 before throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Bryant to make it 24-20.

Dallas followed with two strong defensive series, and a short punt by Baltimore preceded a 21-yard drive that produced a field goal by Bailey.

Flacco then directed a 10-play, 73-yard march. A 31-yard completion to Anquan Boldin moved the ball to the Dallas 4, and Rice scored from the 1 to provide the Ravens an eight-point cushion.

It was barely enough.

Romo went 25 for 36 for 261 yards and two touchdowns, a redemptive performance after he threw five interceptions in his last outing against Chicago. DeMarco Murray ran for 93 yards, Felix Jones had 92 on the ground and Bryant caught 13 passes for 95 yards and two TDs.

Flacco completed 17 of 26 passes for 234 yards.

Baltimore trailed 10-3 before scoring touchdowns on a pair of 80-yard drives to take a 17-10 halftime lead.

The Ravens pulled even when Rice ran in from the 1 after a hands-to-the-face penalty against Dallas lineman Kenyon Coleman on third-and-goal from the 2. Earlier in the march, Rice ran 43 yards with a short pass.

Cary Williams' third interception in three games gave the ball back to Baltimore, and Flacco completed two 20-yard passes to Boldin before hitting Torrey Smith for a 19-yard score with 41 seconds left in the half.

Facing the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL, Flacco went 13 for 18 for 174 yards in the first half.

The Ravens opened the game with a 14-play drive that lasted over seven minutes and ended with a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Dallas answered with an 80-yard march culminated by a 22-yard run by Felix Jones and featuring a 28-yard run by Murray, longest against the Ravens since 2010. The Cowboys' next possession stretched more than six minutes, covered 56 yards and produced a 42-yard field goal by Bailey for a 10-3 lead.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


advertisement

More newsGetty Images
Giants put?whipping on 49ers

??The New York Giants spotted the San Francisco 49ers a three-point lead , then reeled off 26 straight points to even the two teams' records at 4-2.

Watch live online: Packers vs. Texans

Watch NBC's presentation of Green Bay-Houston in an HD player with DVR style controls, alternate angles, stats, highlights and more. Chat with Mike Florio during the game.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/49408629/ns/sports-nfl/

kim jong il died warren hellman survivor south pacific survivor south pacific house of wax patrick willis team america

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.