ST. LOUIS - Although the Ravens' defense pulled the plug on 'The Greatest Show on Turf." the team's offense became the main source of the St. Louis Rams" points last night.
Four of the Ravens' seven turnovers led to 20 points as they bowed to the Rams in a wild 33-22 loss before 66,085 at Edward Jones Dome.
St. Louis also had the drops with four turnovers, two by punt returner DeJuan Groce, and went almost two quarters without a first down at one point. The 11 total turnovers were a high for an NFL game this season.
The Ravens (5-4) remain in first place in the AFC North, but their lead dwindled to one game over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Rams (6-3) won their 11th straight game at home, the longest streak in the NFL.
To make matters worse, a Ravens offense that re-established its rhythm in the red zone lost starting quarterback Kyle Boller for the entire second half. The rookie first-round pick banged knees with fullback Alan Ricard with 3 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter.
Boller, who was 10-for-21 for 112 yards, played out the rest of the quarter but his left knee stiffened up during halftime. He will undergo an MRI today in Baltimore.
In his most extensive action of the season, backup Chris Redman hurt the Ravens more than they helped them. He was 7-for-12 for 58 yards, threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked five times.
Despite the haphazard quarterback change, the Ravens took their first lead of the game early in the third quarter, when Chester Taylor forced returner Groce to fumble at the St. Louis 28. In what was a sign to come, the Ravens sputtered with the prime opportunity but still went ahead 22-21 on a 41-yard field goal by Matt Stover.
The first lapse in the second half by the Ravens' defense cost it. After not allowing a first down in six consecutive drives, St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger hit Dane Looker for a 24-yard pass, setting up a 49-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins that pushed the Rams back ahead 24-22 to start the fourth quarter.
The Rams managed just 121 total yards, well below their league-leading average of 374.5. They had seven straight three-and-outs on offense at one point and had zero yards total offense in the second quarter.
The Ravens' defense was pushed back into its own territory shortly after when Redman forced a throw down the seam to tight end Todd Heap and was intercepted by Dunbar High graduate Tommy Polley.
