Game 4: Ravens Get Pushed Around
Jamison Hensley, Sun Staff
Publication: The Baltimore Sun
Date: October 5, 2004
Like their leader Ray Lewis, the Ravens were pushed around, punched and left bloodied.
The Ravens’ 27-24 loss to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs last night at M&T Bank Stadium delivered a nationwide statement that the defending AFC North champions were far from prime-time players.
In the franchise’s first loss on Monday night in four appearances, the Ravens were dominated in total yards (398-207) and time of possession (39:43 to 20:17). The onslaught was an in-your-face punishment that left Lewis with a bloody nose.
“It came down to they were more physical than us in just about every facet of the game,” said coach Brian Billick. “And that’s unique for us. We’re not going to win too many games when we’re not playing our physical game.”
Kansas City running back Priest Holmes ran for 125 yards – the first back to crack 100 yards in nine games against the Ravens – and paced the Chiefs on their marathon drives. They surrendered scoring drives of 10, nine, 14, 12 and 13 plays as they were continually shoved off the ball by a manhandling Kansas City offensive line.
Holmes’ 1-yard dive – following a Will Shields block on Lewis – staked the Chiefs to a 27-17 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter.
After a 1-yard touchdown by Jamal Lewis cut the Ravens’ deficit to 27-24 midway through the final quarter, the Ravens had two more tries to come back in the last six minutes but failed to move beyond their 40-yard line.
The Ravens’ last hope – a long pass from Kyle Boller to Kevin Johnson on fourth down – tipped off Johnson’s hands and out of his grasp.
They kept the game close with trickery (a 57-yard touchdown pass to Randy Hymes off a flea flicker), a big special teams play (a 58-yard punt return by B.J. Sams for a score) and a fourth-quarter drive marked by two defensive penalties inside the 8-yard line.
