Ravens Finally Fill In the Blank

It was just like last season for the Baltimore Ravens, who thoroughly frustrated Cincinnati quarterback Jon Kitna in their long-overdue first shutout of the season.

Ray Lewis had two of Baltimore’s three interceptions, and the Ravens overcame a 127-yard rushing performance by Corey Dillon in a 16-0 victory Sunday.

Baltimore yielded 476 yards one week earlier in a 26-21 loss to Pittsburgh. But against the hapless Bengals, the defense looked much more like the unit that last season had four shutouts and set an NFL record for fewest points allowed over a 16-game season (165).

“It was a familiar feel, because it didn’t matter what our offense did,” Lewis said. “If they went three and out, it was a turnover, whatever it was. When we stepped on the field, we truly believed they couldn’t move the ball on us.”

Interceptions by Lewis and Duane Starks ended two Cincinnati drives deep in Baltimore territory in the second quarter, and the Bengals didn’t pass midfield in the second half until midway through the fourth quarter.

“It felt like we kind of played old Ravens ball,” Baltimore linebacker Peter Boulware said.

Terry Allen scored the game’s lone touchdown and Matt Stover kicked three field goals as Baltimore (9-5) enhanced its wild-card hopes by avenging an earlier 21-10 loss at Cincinnati.

“We’re thrilled to be where we’re at right now,” Raven Coach Brian Billick said.

Dillon ended Baltimore’s streak of 50 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. It didn’t matter, because Kitna’s interceptions ruined three promising drives and the Bengals (4-10) absorbed their seventh consecutive defeat and third shutout of the season.

“How can you satisfied with some stats if you didn’t win? That’s the bottom line,” Dillon said.

As the game drew to a close, Kitna and Bengal receiver Chad Johnson exchanged heated words on the sideline.

Kitna, who was 16 for 39 with four turnovers, said, “There was some frustration between him and I, and it’s going to stay between Chad and I unless he wants to talk to you about it.”

Said Johnson: “He said something I didn’t like and I said something back that he didn’t like.”

It was the third consecutive time Baltimore shut out the Bengals at PSINet Stadium, marking the first time an NFL team has shut out an opponent at home over three seasons since the Oakland Raiders did it to San Diego from 1975-77.