Ravens/Raiders: Six sacks, 6 turnovers stifle Oakland
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BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens still haven't given up a touchdown. The Oakland Raiders have now gone 120 minutes without one.
Baltimore staged another stellar defensive showing yesterday at the expense of the inept Raiders, forcing six turnovers and getting a half-dozen sacks in a 28-6 rout.
The Ravens (2-0) permitted two field goals, an adequate encore to their season-opening, 27-0 victory against Tampa Bay.
"They haven't crossed the goal line yet," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said. "That's something for our defense to hold onto, and something that will continue to motivate us."
Adalius Thomas led the way with seven tackles, two sacks, an interception and a safety.
"If you can hold someone to single digits in this game, you should win," said Thomas, who also had seven tackles in the opener.
Matt Stover kicked four field goals, and Todd Heap and Mike Anderson scored touchdowns for Baltimore. The only other time the Ravens won their first two games was in 2000, the season they won their lone Super Bowl.
"I think we're pretty excited," Heap said, "but we're not satisfied."
Oakland fell to 0-2 under Art Shell, whose quest to restore an air of respectability to the franchise is off to a dubious start. The Raiders, who opened with a 27-0 home loss to San Diego, have been outscored, 55-6.
"Our heads might be bloodied, but they're not bowed," Shell said. " ... I'm very frustrated, but not the point where I've given up on this team or the direction that we're headed."
Quarterback Aaron Brooks was pulled in the first quarter because of a sprained right rotator cuff . Before leaving, he fumbled two snaps from center, and those turnovers that led to a pair of Stover field goals. The injury occurred while Brooks was trying to pounce on the second fumble near the line of scrimmage, Shell said.
Brooks was replaced by Andrew Walter, who also served in relief in the opener against San Diego. Walter fumbled three times, losing one, threw three interceptions and completed 10 of 27 passes for 162 yards.
The Raiders have a much-needed bye next week.
Randy Moss caught only two passes for 32 yards, and LaMont Jordan ran 19 times for 35 yards.
Asked if there was any reason for the Raiders to be optimistic, Jordan replied, "No, not from an offensive standpoint."
First Published September 18, 2006 12:00 am
