Reborn Ravens Coast to Win

The defense returned to form, the offense matched the standard it set one week earlier, and the special teams were spectacular.

It added up to the most lopsided victory for the Baltimore Ravens, a 44-6 rout of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday that served as a perfect tuneup for next week’s clash for first place in the AFC North.

Ray Lewis returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown to cap a 17-point flurry in the second quarter, and the rejuvenated Ravens cruised past the road-weary 49ers.

“This is a complete game for us, the kind of game we’re capable of having,” Raven Coach Brian Billick said. “It’s what we’re going to need the rest of the way to get done what we want to get done.”

That would be a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Baltimore can take a huge step in that direction next week against Cincinnati, which beat Pittsburgh to remain tied with the Ravens atop the division.

The Bengals beat Baltimore in Cincinnati on Oct. 19, and the Ravens have been itching for the rematch.

“Now we can focus on Cincinnati. Everybody else is out of the way,” Lewis said.

One week earlier, the Ravens trailed Seattle by 14 points at halftime and by 17 in the fourth quarter before rallying to win. Baltimore (7-5) took a far easier path against the 49ers, building a 24-6 halftime lead before coasting.

The return of quarterback Jeff Garcia did nothing to change the fortunes of the 49ers (5-7), who fell to 0-6 on the road. Back from a three-game absence caused by a sprained ankle, Garcia completed 14 of 29 passes for 112 yards with a career-high four interceptions.