Ravens 2010 season recap: game by game

Week 1 – Ravens 10, Jets 9

East Rutherford, N.J. – New Meadowlands Stadium

The Ravens opened the 2010 season with a suffocating defensive performance against former defensive coordinator and current New York Jets coach Rex Ryan in a 10-9 win.

The Ravens turned the ball over three times in their first four possessions, but overcame the giveaways because of strong defense. Baltimore limited New York to only 176 total yards and three field goals while linebacker Terrell Suggs led the Ravens' defense with four tackles, half a sack and a forced fumble.

"Our defense was lights out," coach John Harbaugh said. "They were put in some really tough situations. That's about as good a defensive performance that the Ravens have ever played."

Running back Willis McGahee accounted for the team's lone touchdown on a 1-yard run with only a few seconds remaining in the first half. Quarterback Joe Flacco completed 20 of 38 passes for 248 yards and one interception, and kicker Billy Cundiff booted a 25-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Player of the game: Terrell Suggs – Four tackles, two solo, half a sack and one forced fumble.

Week 2 – Ravens 10, Bengals 15

Cincinnati – Paul Brown Stadium

Quarterback Joe Flacco threw a career-high four interceptions as the Ravens' offense crumbled in a 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Flacco could not find a rhythm in one of the worst games of his three-year career, going 17 of 39 passing for 154 yards.

"I don't think anyone feels good about it. It was a tough one for me," Flacco said. "We're 1-1 with 14 games left. We feel like we have a pretty good team. We just have to go out there and prove it."

Baltimore's only touchdown came when Flacco connected with receiver Derrick Mason on a 31-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half. Minus that series, Flacco's quarterback rating was a dismal 23.8.

The Ravens' defense did its part, preventing the Bengals from reaching the end zone as the home team relied on five field goals from kicker Mike Nugent.

Player of the game: Chris Carr – Six tackles, five solo.

Week 3 – Ravens 24, Browns 17

Baltimore. – M&T Bank Stadium

Newly acquired wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught three touchdown passes and quarterback Joe Flacco rebounded from an ugly Week-2 showing to lead the Ravens to a 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in the home opener.

Flacco completed 22 of 31 passes for 262 yards, connecting with Boldin — who recorded 142 receiving yards — for all three scores.

The Ravens' defense was not as lucky, as Browns running back Peyton Hillis rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. Cleveland staked a 17-14 lead when quarterback Seneca Wallace found tight end Ben Wallace in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter, but Flacco answered on the next possession with a 69-yard drive that culminated with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Boldin.

"You look at last week and we gave up five field goals," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "You look at this week, and our offense bails us out. I think that's what builds a team for later in the year."

Player of the game: Anquan Boldin – eight receptions for 142 yards and three touchdown catches.

Week 4 – Ravens 17, Steelers 14

Pittsburgh – Heinz Field

T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco with 32 seconds remaining in the game to secure a 17-14, come-from-behind victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens trailed by four points when Flacco orchestrated a 40-yard drive in 68 seconds for the winning score. His game-by-game progression continued in Pittsburgh as he completed 24 of 37 passes for 256 yards and took a leadership role in the final moments with the game on the line.

"I think there are going to be a lot of defining moments for Joe, but this is going to be one of them," coach John Harbaugh said. "This is going to be one that all the Ravens fans are going to remember for a long time."

Player of the game: Joe Flacco – 24 of 37 passing for 256 yards and one touchdown pass.

Week 5 – Ravens 31, Broncos 17

Baltimore – M&T Bank Stadium

Running back Ray Rice ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens dismantled the Denver Broncos, 31-17.

All four Baltimore touchdowns came on the ground and four Ravens combined to rush for 233 yards. Rice had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs and quarterback Joe Flacco charged into the end zone with a 1-yard run that capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive in the first quarter. Kicker Billy Cundiff booted a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter and Willis McGahee capped the scoring with a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

"It was an important win for us to get where we're going as a football team," coach John Harbaugh said. "This is a game we really had to win at home, against an AFC team."