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Bengals boot Ravens
Shayne Graham's seven field goals key Cincinnati win over Baltimore.
Monday, November 12, 2007
BALTIMORE — When is an ugly game beautiful?
When you win, of course. And the Bengals won in record-settling style on the strength of Shayne Graham's hot foot, an explosive passing attack and a suddenly-inspired defense on Sunday.
Extras
Graham set a franchise record with seven field goals as Cincinnati snapped a two-game losing streak with a 21-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in front of 71,130 spectators at M&T Bank Stadium.
Graham — whose 19 consecutive field goals is also a club record — beat the previous single-game team mark of six set by Doug Pelfrey on Nov. 6, 1994, in a 20-17 overtime victory at Seattle.
"It really says a lot about our team," Graham said. "It wasn't that the kicker made seven kicks. It was that the offense moved the ball down the field to make the field goals, and our defense, for putting us in good field position."
Wide receiver Chris Henry caught four passes for 99 yards in his season debut after an eight-game suspension. And the Bengals forced six turnovers — two interceptions and four fumbles — as they swept the season series from Baltimore for the second time in three years, duplicating their 2005 feat.
The Ravens also suffered six turnovers in their 27-20 season-opening loss in Cincinnati on Sept. 10.
Star of the game
Graham's field goals came from 34, 19, 22, 35, 35, 21 and 33 yards — all chip shots.
He needed one more to tie the NFL record of eight set by Tennessee's Rob Bironas against Houston earlier this year.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for another chance," Graham said. "But you don't want to rub it into the other team because the game was already won at that point, and it wouldn't be right."
Goat of the game
Ravens quarterback Steve McNair threw an interception and coughed up two fumbles as Baltimore (4-5) lost its third straight game.
Fans cheered the loudest when Kyle Boller replaced McNair with 7:34 to go. Boller's 47-yard pass to Mark Clayton set up Willis McGahee for a 1-yard TD with 1:56 to go.
Turning point
With the Bengals nursing a 6-0 lead and the Ravens facing third-and-1 at the Bengals' 2-yard line at 0:18 of the second quarter, McNair floated a pass to tight end Todd Heap near the back of the end zone.
Strong safety Dexter Jackson tipped the ball and it landed in rookie cornerback Leon Hall's hands. Hall has a team-high four interceptions.
