The Baltimore Ravens throttled the visiting Cincinnati Bengals to open their 2012 NFL season on Monday Night Football.
In front of a sold out crowd at M&T Bank Stadium, quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens new style offense amassed more than 400 yards in total offense. Flacco, who was pulled from the game midway through the fourth quarter finished his night completing 21-of-29 passes, 299 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The Ravens fast paced no-huddle offense saw seven different receivers catching passes from Flacco. Tight end Dennis Pitta led the team in receptions with five for 73-yards and one touchdown. Receivers Anquan Boldin,Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Ray Rice, Vonta Leach and Ed Dickson also had receptions.
Baltimore running back Ray Rice had a successful night in the run game compiling 68-yards on just 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton struggled for much of the game. The Ravens buttoned up their defense in the second half and shut down Cincinnati’s playmakers. Safety Ed Reed made history in the third quarter with a 34 yard interception that he returned for a touchdown. The return moved Reed to number one all time in interception yards with 1,497 previously held by Rod Woodson.
Veteran linebacker Ray Lewis had a solid night against the Bengals offense. Lewis led the team with 11 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Dalton finished his night 22-of-37 for 221 yards and one interception. Bengals running back BenJarvis Green-Ellis had some success against the Ravens however were forced to abandon the ground game. Green-Ellis rushed for 91-yards on 18 carries and one touchdown.
The Ravens (1-0) will travel to Philadelphia (1-0) where they will take on the Eagles on Sunday.
