Ravens Must Take Good With Bad

The Baltimore Ravens soared to new heights Sunday with the first shutout in franchise history and an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory.

Unfortunately, Baltimore ultimately was denied its most coveted goal--a playoff berth.

Matt Stover kicked five field goals and the Ravens recorded a season-high seven sacks in ending the Cincinnati Bengals’ late-season surge with a 22-0 victory.

The victory assured the Ravens (8-7) their first nonlosing season since the team left Cleveland before the 1996 season. Before their current run, the Ravens had won three in a row only once--in 1997.

But moments after they walked off the field, the Ravens’ slim playoff hopes ended when Buffalo beat New England, 13-10, in overtime.

“We got a shutout, we got a win, but we got the bad news,” said Baltimore safety Rod Woodson, who set up a field goal with a 44-yard interception return.

That pretty much summed up the sentiment in the Raven locker room. Even though Baltimore played one of its best games of the season, the prevailing feeling was that the effort was for naught.

“It’s sweet, but it’s bittersweet because we found out that Buffalo beat New England today, which axed our chances,” defensive tackle Rob Burnett said. “We’re happy and we’re satisfied with today’s work, but as far as the season is concerned I’m disappointed.”

The Bengals (4-11) were trying for their first four-game winning streak since 1989, but managed only eight first downs in falling behind, 16-0, at halftime. Cincinnati had averaged 36 points in its previous four games.