Keys to the game RAVENS 23, BENGALS 10

1 The Ravens brought the heat. The Ravens had five sacks and repeatedly hurried Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake. With no time, Blake didn't have a lot of chances to throw deep to Carl Pickens or Darnay Scott.

2 The Ravens' no-huddle offense ran the Bengals into the ground. Cincinnati players started getting leg cramps trying to keep pace, and the injuries caused the team to lose track of substitutions, and at the same time led to some missed defensive calls.

3 Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey missed three field-goal attempts, including one that was blocked. The Bengals' offense was struggling, and those field goals could have provided some emotional lifts.

Pub Date: 9/08/97