Ravens Kick Yet Another Losing Habit

Winning on the road for the first time in their history was a kick for the Baltimore Ravens. Well, make that a matter of kicks.

There was the game-winning field goal by Matt Stover, two missed 41-yard field goals by the New York Giants’ Brad Daluiso --who also had an extra point blocked--and maybe the biggest kick of all, an inadvertent one by Raven backup center Leo Goeas.

Stover kicked a 37-yard field goal with 34 seconds to play Sunday as the Ravens rallied from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Giants, 24-23.

“Winning on the road wasn’t that big a thing, because last year we didn’t have a club that could win either at home or on the road,” said Coach Ted Marchibroda, whose team won only four games in its first season in Baltimore.

The Ravens (2-1) probably should not have won this game either. They were outgained, 390-273, and New York had the ball for almost 36 minutes.

However, the Giants (1-2) and Daluiso handed the game to Baltimore, giving up two scores in the final 7:08 to blow a 23-14 lead.

Baltimore quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who was nearly replaced by Eric Zeier in the fourth quarter after hurting his right thumb for a second time, got the Ravens going with an 83-yard, 10-play drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jackson.

New York took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Raven 23. After linebacker Ray Lewis, who had 14 tackles and seven assists, stopped Tiki Barber on a third-and-1, Daluiso pushed his 41-yard attempt a little right with 2:59 to play.

The Ravens came back with a 48-yard, eight-play drive that started on a bizarre note.

Testaverde fumbled the first snap but Goeas unknowingly kicked the ball back to the quarterback. Testaverde regained possession and ran for 10 yards.