Ravens Soar in Overtime

The defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons reached a new low Sunday, becoming the first Super Bowl team in a non-strike year to start 0-4, losing to the Baltimore Ravens, 19-13, in overtime.

The end was stunning--Stoney Case throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to Justin Armour just 2:29 into the extra period--but the frustration of the Falcons’ season was epitomized by a disgraceful episode in the third quarter.

Pro Bowl cornerback Ray Buchanan became enraged when Patrick Johnson performed a celebration dance over him after catching a 52-yard touchdown pass, Johnson’s first reception of the season.

Buchanan put the Baltimore receiver in a bear hug and slammed him to the ground. He then gave Johnson a punch to the back of the head before an official pulled Buchanan away and threw him out of the game.

“I understand his feeling of frustration,” Atlanta’s Bob Christian said. “He let his anger get the best of him. Most of the guys on the sideline felt similar frustration, but we’ve got to be bigger than that.”

Johnson said, “I couldn’t believe I got body-slammed.”

Buchanan missed another dismal finish for the Falcons, who are only the second team to start 0-4 after making the Super Bowl. The 1987 New York Giants lost their first five games, but three were with replacement players.

The Falcons might have won in regulation if Coach Dan Reeves had let Morten Andersen try a 53-yard field goal with 49 seconds left. Instead, Reeves chose to punt, saying he didn’t want to give the Ravens good field position if the kick failed.

Apparently, the coach didn’t consider that Andersen holds NFL records for 50-yard kicks (35) and game winners (25).