Finally, a Victory for Ravens

For the first time since September, Baltimore Raven Coach Ted Marchibroda walked off the field with a smile.

Rod Woodson returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown and Michael McCrary had four sacks as the Ravens ended a losing streak at four games by defeating the Oakland Raiders, 13-10, on Sunday.

After an embarrassing 45-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at home last week, the Ravens (3-6) redeemed themselves, particularly on defense. And Marchibroda, in the final season of a three-year contract, received at least a one-week reprieve from questions concerning his shaky job situation.

“I don’t see any pressure or feel any pressure. You prepare the same way every week,” Marchibroda said.

The Raiders (6-3) had won five in a row and expected their good fortune to continue with quarterback Jeff George back for the first time since October. But George re-injured his groin and left after the first series, and this time backup Donald Hollas could not produce a victory.

Hollas, who had won three in a row since taking over as a starter for George, was 17 for 26 for 249 yards. But he threw two interceptions, with Woodson returning the first one for his touchdown in the first quarter.

The Raiders made it 10-10 with 13:59 left on a five-yard touchdown pass from Hollas to Rickey Dudley.

But the Ravens responded with a 62-yard drive that produced Matt Stover’s second 30-yard field goal of the game with 9:14 remaining.

Jim Harbaugh, in his first victory as a Baltimore starter, was 10 for 17 for 102 yards. Priest Holmes ran 27 times for 99 yards.