Sponsor




Home  >  Columns   >  The Beat with Aaron Wilson  >  Ravens v. Cardinals 5 Reasons for the outcome

Columns

The Beat with Aaron Wilson - Ravens v. Cardinals: 5 Reasons for the outcome

Posted On: 9/24/07
Written By:  
Aaron Wilson
Ravens v. Cardinals: 5 Reasons for the outcome
1. For the second week in a row, the Baltimore Ravens survived a dramatic comeback attempt. This time, the Ravens (2-1) managed to hold on for a 26-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Matt Stover's 46-yard game-winning field goal as time expired Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Despite veteran Cardinals backup Kurt Warner rallying the Cardinals to a tie with 1:50 remaining from a 20-3 halftime deficit and trailing 23-6 entering the fourth quarter, Ravens backup quarterback Kyle Boller got Baltimore in scoring position by going 5-for-5 for 32 yards on the decisive drive. It was Stover's 13th career game-winning field goal as he moved into fifth place on the league's all-time scoring list.
 
2. Baltimore benefited heavily from a debatable personal foul on safety Adrian Wilson, who appeared to hammer Ravens tight end Todd Heap during the game-winning drive. Referee Jerome Boger determined that it was an illegal forearm delivered to Heap's helmet, according to a pool report. Heap staggered off the field with a mild concussion.
 
3. The Ravens withstood a 36-year-old Warner, who replaced an ineffective Matt Leinart, going 15 for 20 for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Even though Anquan Boldin registered a career-high 14 catches for 181 yards, picking regularly on cornerbacks Ronnie Prude and Corey Ivy, who started for ill starter Samari Rolle, the Ravens got a stop at the end. Ivy covered Bryant Johnson successfully on a third-down fade pass into the end zone prior to Neil Rackers' game-tying, 41-yard field goal.
 
4. Boller completed 8 of 10 passes for 83 yards in relief of starter Steve McNair, who left the game after three quarters as a precautionary measure because Ravens coach Brian Billick was concerned that McNair might aggravate his groin poll.
 
5. Although the Ravens clearly won the running game battle as Willis McGahee gained 98 yards on 21 carries with Cardinals runner Edgerrin James rushing for 57 yards on 10 carries, they were ineffective in the red zone with a 1-for-3 conversion rate.
 
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
 
Photo by Sabina Moran

Post your comment

Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Comment:
There are no comments. be the first to post a comment.


«Go back to the previous page.
Posted On: 9/24/07
Written By:  
Aaron Wilson

Polls

Who will be the Ravens starting left guard on Opening Night?


Twitter

Check us out on Twitter
  • 5/24/12: Give 100% of what you've got everyday in every way...except of course if you are at the blood bank...
  • 5/24/12: @ThundercatJay Way too soon to tell. Practices are in shorts and far from game speed.
  • 5/24/12: For now, the Ravens are primarily having Paul Kruger lined up at Suggs' rush outside linebacker spot.
  • 5/24/12: Rookie 2nd round pick Kelechi Osemele took the majority of the first-string repetitions at left guard with Jah Reid rotating in at tackle.

View all tweets & follow us!

Got Poker Face?

E-News

Sign up for Email Alerts and get the best deals and news in your inbox.



Copyright © 2012 24x7 Network, LLC, All Rights Reserved
Website Design by D3Corp Ocean City Maryland