NFL 2008 Baltimore Ravens Regular Season Review

The Blatimore Ravens (11-5) finished the Regular Season as an AFC Wild Card

The Ravens earned the Wild Card spot and the 6th seed in the AFC playoffs with an 11-5 record, which included a 9-2 record after starting the season 2-3.

The Baltimore Ravens set an NFL record for most wins by a team with both a rookie head coach (John Harbaugh) and rookie QB (Joe Flacco) along with the Atlanta Falcons (Head Coach Mike Smith and QB Matt Ryan).

The Ravens finished 1 game behind the Steelers (12-4) in the AFC North. Impressive victories came at Miami (27-13), at Houston (41-13), over the Eagles (36-7) and at Dallas (33-24) in the last game played at Texas Stadium.

Most difficult of the losses were 2 memorable battles with the Steelers (23-20 in OT at Pit. and 13-9) and a home loss to Tennessee (13-10).

The Ravens defense was dominant again this season.

The Ravens allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the NFL this season, permitting only 244 (15.3 per game). The Ravens finished the regular season ranked as the NFL's No. 2 defense (261.1 ypg). Baltimore's rush defense (81.4) ranked 3rd, while the pass defense (179.7) finished 2nd. The Ravens have now gone 6 straight seasons ranking in the top 6 in total defense.

The defense set 3 team records: opponent QB rating (60.6), rushing TDs allowed (4) and rushing 1st downs allowed (58). Baltimore led the NFL with 26 INTs, including 9 by S Ed Reed, which was also an NFL high. Baltimore was 3rd against the run and 2nd versus the pass in 2008. The Ravens also were tops in the NFL producing 3-and-outs (60). The Ravens did not allow a 100-yard rusher for the 2nd straight season (current string is 35 games, dating back to 2006).

For his effort in December, Pro Bowl Safety Ed Reed was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the month.

A catalyst for the NFL's second-ranked defense, Reed posted 16 tackles, one sack, a league-high six interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including a fumble recovery-touchdown return as Baltimore posted a 3-1 record in December. In Week 14 against Washington (12/7), Reed earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors by registering two tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a fumble return-touchdown in a 24-10 victory over the Redskins. Reed registered two interceptions in three of four games in December and totaled a league-high nine interceptions in 2008. The Pro Bowl safety helped the Ravens post a NFL-best 26 interceptions this season, which ranks second most in team history (28 in 2006).

The Ravens offense stepped up as well.

Rookie QB Joe Flacco (18th selection in 1st round) started every game this season on offense. In Flacco's 1st 5 games, when the Ravens went 2-3, Flacco threw 1 TD and 7 INTs for a QB rating of 60.6. Over the last 11 games of the regular season (9-2), Flacco threw 13 TDs with 5 INTs and produced a 90.2 rating.

The Ravens totaled 148.5 rushing yards per game this season, standing as the NFL's No. 4 ground attack. The Ravens running attack was led by Le'Ron McClain (232 att, 902 yds, 10 TDs), Willis McGahee (170 att, 671 yds, 7 TDs) and rookie Ray Rice (107 att, 454 yds, 4.2 avg.).

WR Derrick Mason produced 80 catches for 1,037 yards.

Part of the Ravens success can be attributed to sustaining long drives and controlling the clock. The Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in time of possession (33:10).

The Ravens compiled the NFL's top scoring differential (tied with Tennessee) in 2008, outscoring opponents 385-244. Additionally, Baltimore only allowed a league-low 60 points in the 4th quarter while scoring 115 (good for a +55 differential).

Baltimore Ravens (11-5) NFL 2008 Regular Season

NFL 2008 Game 1: Baltimore Ravens 17, Cincinnati Bengals 10

Despite starting a pair of rookies on offense -- QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice -- the Ravens defeated the Bengals in a 17-10 victory at home. The Baltimore Ravens defense held the Bengals offense to no TDs, 154 net yards and just 8 1st downs, 2 of those by penalties.

CB Chris McAlister produced an INT that led to Baltimore's 1st TD and recovered a fumble that resulted in Matt Stover's 21-yard FG. Baltimore scored twice on long runs: the 1st by WR Mark Clayton (42 yards) on a double reverse and the 2nd on Flacco's 38-yard bootleg.

The Bengals lone TD, which did not happen until there was 10:15 left in the game, came on CB Johnathan Joseph's 65-yard sprint after picking up a Rice fumble.

Flacco completed 15-of-29 for 129 yards, including 4 to WR Derrick Mason for 44. FB Le'Ron McClain rushed for a career-high 86 yards on 19 carries and added 2 catches for 24 more. The Ravens dominated time of possession, 36:15 to 23:45, including 13:17 of the 4th quarter.

NFL 2008 Game 2: Baltimore Ravens 28, Cleveland Browns 10

Coming off an unexpected bye week due to Hurricane Ike in Texas, the Ravens played host to the 0-2 Cleveland Browns.

Joe Flacco threw his first career interception in the first quarter, which was scoreless for both teams. The Browns, however, capitalized on the turnover by driving 52 yards for a touchdown, finishing the drive with Derek Anderson completing a 19 yard pass to Jerome Harrison.

The Baltimore Ravens responded with Willis McGahee scoring on a 5 yard touchdown run, his first of the season. The Browns closed out the first half with a Phil Dawson Field goal to make the score 10 - 7, Browns, at the half.

In the second half, Baltimore won the turnover battle and their defense proved to be the deciding factor in this contest. After Ray Lewis delivered a big hit on Browns' Tight End Kellen Winslow while deflecting a pass, Chris McAlister intercepted the tipped ball and returned the interception to the Browns 10 yard line. Four plays later, Fullback Le'Ron McClain would score on a 1 yard run. On the next possession, Ed Reed intercepted a Derek Anderson pass intended for Tight End Steve Heiden and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.

After forcing another 3-and-out, Baltimore would capitalize on a Browns personal foul from the 50 yard line, driving 35 yards for a touchdown, finishing the drive with a 1 yard run from Le'Ron McClain.

The Browns tried to rally late in the game, but Samari Rolle intercepted Derek Anderson with less than two minutes to play, ensuring no chance of a comeback.

NFL 2008 Game 3: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Baltimore Ravens 20

The Ravens travelled to Pittsburgh for their first road game of the season on Monday Night Football against the Steelers.

The Baltimore Ravens trailed early as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed connected on a 49-yard field goal. The Ravens responded with kicker Matt Stover's 33-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore took flight as Stover kicked a 20-yard field goal, while rookie QB Joe Flacco completed his first career touchdown pass as he hooked up with TE Daniel Wilcox from 4 yards out.

In the third quarter, the Steelers took the lead on Ben Roethlisberger's 38-yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes. Followed by LB James Harrison's forced fumble off Joe Flacco. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley returned the fumble 7 yards for a touchdown.

The Steelers increased their lead on Reed's 19-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Ravens managed to tie the score at 20-20 on a 2-yard TD run by fullback Le'Ron McClain to force overtime.

Despite winning the coin toss, the Ravens were unable to gain ground. Pittsburgh Steeler kicker made the game-winning 46-yard field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 4: Tennessee Titans 13, Baltimore Ravens 10

The Ravens hosted the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 in what turned out to be defensive duel. In the first quarter, The Ravens took a 3-0 lead, thanks to Matt Stover's 38-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Titans tied the game as kicker Rob Bironas made a 35-yard field goal. The game remained tied 3-3 as the first half ended.

The Ravens scored the only points in the third quarter, thanks to fullback Le'Ron McClain's 1-yard TD run. However, in the fourth quarter, the Tennessee Titans pulled away with 10 unanswered points. Bironas made a 26-yard field goal, followed by QB Kerry Collins 11-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler.

NFL 2008 Game 5: Indianapolis Colts 31, Baltimore Ravens 3

The Ravens went on the road to square off against the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, the Ravens trailed as Colt QB Peyton Manning completed a 67-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison and a 22-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri added a 37-yard field goal to give the Colts a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Manning completed a 5-yard TD pass to Harrison. The Colts lead 24-0 at the end of the first half.

In the second half, the Colts added another TD as RB Dominic Rhodes scored from 1-yard out. The Ravens scored their only points of the game in the 3rd quarter as kicker Matt Stover made a 37-yard field goal. Neither team would score in the 4th quarter and the game ended 31-3.

NFL 2008 Game 6: Baltimore Ravens 27, Miami Dolphins 13

The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 27-13 in Miami. Baltimore tallied 357 total yards, with rookie QB Joe Flacco posting a career-high passer rating of 120.0. RB Willis McGahee added 105 rushing yards. Defensively, LB Terrell Suggs returned a 2nd-quarter interception 44 yards for a TD.

Both teams traded FGs to open the scoring before Suggs picked off QB Chad Pennington for the defensive score. The Dolphins followed with another FG before the Ravens offense came alive. Flacco went 6-of-8 for 68 yards on the next series, capping it with an 11-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason.

With a 17-6 lead heading into halftime, the Ravens paved through a run defense that entered the weekend only allowing 89.0 yards on the ground (8th in the NFL).

McGahee gained 80 yards in the 2nd half, adding a bruising 5-yard TD run - this despite not having starting RT Adam Terry (with a knee injury) and losing RG Marshal Yanda for the season to torn knee ligaments the previous week.

The Dolphins closed within 7 points after Pennington hit rookie WR Davone Bess for a 7-yard score, but Baltimore bounced back with a 9-play scoring drive in the final period. When McGahee plowed through the Dolphins for his 4th-quarter TD,

The Baltimore Ravens stopped a 7-game road losing streak. The Ravens averaged 4.0 yards per carry, with McGahee's 5.5-yard average leading the way. Mason paced all receivers with 6 catches for 87 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 7: Baltimore Ravens 29, Oakland Raiders 10

At home the Ravens soundly defeated the Oakland Raiders, 29-10. The Ravens were the first to score as rookie LB Jameel McClain sacked Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell in the endzone for a safety.

In the second quarter, the Ravens scored 17 points to take a 19-0 lead at halftime. RB Willis McGahee scored a 1-yard TD run, rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 70-yard TD pass to WR Demetrius Williams, and Matt Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal.

The Raiders responded in the 3rd quarter when they scored their only points of the game. Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski connected on a 22-yard field goal. The Ravens answered with Stover's 30-yard field goal. The Raiders cut the lead to 22-10 as Russell completed a 2-yard TD pass to RB Justin Griffith.

The Ravens put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter as Flacco scored a 12-yard TD run and produce the games final outcome, 29-10 in favor the Ravens.

NFL 2008 Game 8: Baltimore Ravens 37, Cleveland Browns 27

The Ravens faced the Browns at Cleveland. The Ravens took an early lead thanks to a Matt Stover 41-yard field goal and a Joe Flacco 47-yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton. The Browns responded on the ensuing kickoff when Joshua Cribbs returned the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

The Cleveland Browns tied the game, 10-10, when kicker Phil Dawson made a 23-yard field goal. The Ravens answered with Stover making a 32-yard field goal. The Browns closed out the half with Dawson making a 54-yard field goal to tie the game at 13-13.

In the third quarter, Cleveland took the lead as QB Derek Anderson completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and a 7-yard TD pass to RB Jason Wright. Baltimore responded in the thrid quarter as FB Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard TD run.

The Ravens scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, thanks to Flacco's 28-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason, Stover's 22-yard field goal, and LB Terrell Suggs return of an interception 42 yards for a touchdown.

NFL 2008 Game 9: Baltimore Ravens 41, Houston Texans 13

The Ravens went on the road to Houston where they netted a convincing 41-13 victory over the Texans. The game was originally scheduled for NFL 2008 Week 2, but was rescheduled to Week 10 due to structural damage at Reliant Stadium in Houston, caused by Hurricane Ike.

The Baltimore Ravens jumped to an early lead as rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 43-yard TD pass to WR Yamon Figurs. The Texans responded with kicker Kris Brown's 23-yard field goal. The Ravens responded on a Texans miscue when OT Duane Brown committed a holding penalty while in his own endzone, giving the Ravens a safety.

The Ravens extended their lead as rookie kicker Steven Hauschka made a 54-yard field goal. The Texans closed out the first half on a Kris Brown 48-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Ravens and Texans exchanged touchdowns as RB Willis McGahee scored for the Ravens on a 1-yard TD run and Texans QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter.

The Ravens pulled away in the final quarter and score 22 unanswered points for the final score of 41-13. With the win the Ravens won their 4th consecutive game improving their record to 6-3.

NFL 2008 Game 10: New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10

The Ravens headed north to face the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants at the Meadowlands. The Giants got off to a 13-0 lead as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs scored on back-to-back 1-yard TD runs. In the second quarter, the Ravens struggles continued as QB Eli Manning completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Darcy Johnson. Baltimore closed out the half with kicker Matt Stover's 38-yard field goal. The Giants lead at the half, 20-3.

In the third quarter, rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 10-yard TD pass to FB Le'Ron McClain. However, New York answered with CB Aaron Ross returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.

The Giants closed out the game with Lawrence Tynes' 19-yard field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 11: Baltimore Ravens 36, Philadelphia Eagles 7

The Ravens rebounded from their road loss to the Giants by defeating the Eagles 36-7 at home. After a scoreless first quarter, Matt Stover kicked a 44-yard field goal, followed by rookie QB Joe Flacco 1-yard TD pass to TE Daniel Wilcox. The Eagles closed out the half with safety Quintin Demps returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

After a tightly contested first half, the Ravens scored 26 unanswered points to turn this game into a laugher. LB Jameel McClain blocked a punt that resulted in a safety. Stover nailed a 42-yard field goal. Flacco completed a 53-yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton. Safety Ed Reed set an NFL record with a 108-yard interception return for a touchdown. Fullback Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard TD run.

NFL 2008 Game 12: Baltimore Ravens 34 Cincinnati Bengals 3

WR Mark Clayton threw a TD pass and caught another in the Ravens 34-3 victory at Cincinnati last Sunday. Clayton, who caught 5 passes for a career-high 164 yards, threw a 32-yard TD to WR Derrick Mason and caught a 70-yard pass from QB Joe Flacco. WR Derrick Mason caught 6 for 91 yards, while FB Le'Ron McClain rushed 25 times for 86 more.

On offense, the Ravens compiled a season-high 451 total yards. Flacco, who also threw a TD pass to TE Todd Heap (4 yards), completed 19 of 29 for 280 yards. QB Joe Flacco's 280 passing yards Sunday stand as a career high. The rookie QB finished the game 19 of 29 (65.5%) with 2 TDs, 0 INTs and a QB rating of 119.9.

For the 2nd straight game, the Ravens defense did not allow a TD, holding the Bengals to 155 yards on offense. S Jim Leonhard highlighted the defensive performance with a 35-yard interception which he returned for a TD.

The Ravens offense controlled the ball for 38:58 compared to 21:02 for the Bengals.

Baltimore swept the Bengals this season for the 1st time since 2002. With the win, the Ravens have now swept the Bengals five times (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002). The sweep marked Baltimore's 2nd of the season, with the Ravens also winning twice against the Browns.

NFL 2008 Game 13: Baltimore Ravens 24, Washington Redskins 10

Facing an explosive Redskins offense, Ravens Safety Ed Reed registered two tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a fumble return-touchdown in the 24-10 victory over Washington.

Reed recorded his first interception of the game on Washington's opening drive when he picked off Redskins' quarterback JASON CAMPBELL, which led to a LE' RON MC CLAIN touchdown run on the Ravens' ensuing drive.

Midway through the first quarter, Reed forced and recovered a CLINTON PORTIS fumble and raced 22 yards for a TD as the Ravens took a 14-0 lead.

Baltimore extended its lead to 17-0 in the 3rd quarter on a 32-yard Matt Stover FG. The Redskins closed the gap to 17-10 on a 43-yard Shaun Suisham FG and a QB Jason Campbell TD toss to WR Antwaan Randle El (5 yards). However, the Ravens concluded the scoring with a QB Joe Flacco toWR Derrick Mason 28-yard TD with 3:35 left in the game.

With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the veteran safety sealed a Ravens victory when he recorded his second interception of the game. Through Week 14, Reed has five of the Ravens' league-high 22 interceptions.

For his effort and spectuclar performance Ed Reed was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. In his seventh year from Miami, this is Reed's fourth career Defensive Player of the Week Award. Reed most recently won the award in Week 12.

NFL 2008 Game 14: Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Baltimore Ravens 9

The Baltimore Ravens suffered only their second home loss of the season to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens led the Steelers 9-3 through three quarters behind three Matt Stover field goals (28, 26, 28 yards).

However, the Steelers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete a comeback victory that was capped off when Ben Roethlisberger threw a four-yard scoring toss to Santonio Holmes to bring the score to 13-9.

Rookie QB Joe Flacco was intercepted on the Ravens final drive to give Pittsburgh the win.

Flacco completed 11-of-15 passes for 115 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Ravens all-star fullback Le'Ron McClain rushed for 87 yards on 23 carries. Mark Clayton had a team-high three receptions for 38 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 15: Baltimore Ravens 33, Dallas Cowboys 24

The victory over the Cowboys last Saturday included a pair of long touchdown runs in the final 3:32 of the game by running backs Willis McGahee (77 yards) and Le'ron McClain (82 yards) in the last game played at Texas Stadium.

The Dallas Cowboys grabbed an early lead after converting a QB Joe Flacco fumble at the Ravens 4 when rookie Tashard Choice scored on a two-yard rush.

The Ravens provided the rest of the scoring in the first half behind three Matt Stover field goals (26, 29, 37 yards) while the Baltimore defense shut out the Dallas offense to take a 9-7 lead into halftime.

The Ravens extended their lead to 16-7 in the third quarter when Joe Flacco found Derrick Mason for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys and Ravens would then trade field goals to start things off in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 19-10. Dallas then edged closer (19-17) when Tony Romo hit Terrell Owens for a seven-yard touchdown pass.

On the Ravens next possession, Willis McGahee exploded for a 77-yard TD run for a Ravens 26-17 lead. The Cowboys responded with a scoring drive on the ensuing series on Romo's second touchdown of the day to Jason Witten for a 21-yard TD with 1:36 remaining.

However, for the second consecutive drive, Le'Ron McClain was able to break free for a long touchdown run. McClain's 82-yard touchdown run increased the Ravens lead to 33-24.

The Cowboys last offensive effort fell short with the team turning over the ball on downs to end the game.

NFL 2008 Game 16: Baltimore Ravens 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 7

With a convincing 27-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, the Ravens (11-5) clinched the sixth and final AFC playoff spot.

Jacksonville held a brief 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but it was all Ravens from then on out, as Baltimore scored 24 unanswered points with three long scoring drives in the second half. Joe Flacco was 17-of-23 for a career-high 297 yards and a 115.8 passer rating.

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Baltimore Ravens Regular Season Review - NFL 2008