Big crowd saw big win

remember when?

The largest crowd in Baltimore's pro football history showed up Sept. 17, 2006, to see the Ravens dismantle the Oakland Raiders, 28-6. The Ravens' defense was at its dominant best, forcing six turnovers and sacking quarterback Andrew Walter - he wasn't even the starter; Aaron Brooks was - six times. All the Raiders could put on the scoreboard that day was two field goals. The Ravens improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2000.

WHAT HAPPENED: : The Ravens' defense came up with its first safety in six seasons when linebacker Adalius Thomas sacked Walter in the end zone midway through the third quarter to put the Ravens ahead 18-3. On the next series, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg picked up a fumble and ran 59 yards to set up a field goal and give the Ravens a 21-3 lead. On offense, the Ravens struggled. On six of their first 12 possessions, the Ravens started in Oakland territory. They came up with four field goals, an interception and a punt.

KEY STATS: : The Ravens didn't give up a first down on 11 of 15 drives, holding the Raiders to 162 total yards. ... Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was 16-for-33 for 143 yards. ... The Raiders had four fumbled snaps. ... In the first two games of the season, the Ravens did not allow a touchdown. ... The announced attendance was 70,744.

QUOTABLE: : "They haven't crossed the goal line yet. That's something for our defense to hold on to, and something that will continue to motivate them." - Ravens coach Brian Billick.

"Any time you get out of the gate like this, it's always perfect. You don't want to play from behind and you don't want to play catch-up to nobody. You want to control your own destiny. Right now, we have control." - Linebacker Ray Lewis.

Source: Baltimore Sun archives