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Bengals Survive Bruising Battle With Baltimore

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The Associated Press

Published: September 11, 2007

CINCINNATI - With wounded players shuffling off in waves, what was left of the Cincinnati Bengals rallied for a win that hurt so good.

Steve McNair's interception - his fourth gaffe of the game - set up Carson Palmer's fourth-quarter touchdown pass, and Cincinnati's suspect defense pulled off a goal-line stand Monday night that preserved a 27-20 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

In a bruising season opener matching the last two AFC North champs, the Bengals were the last one standing - barely.
Kyle Boller took over after McNair strained his groin in the fourth quarter - the last in a nonstop run of injuries for both teams - and led the Ravens to the 1-yard line in the closing seconds.

A pass-interference penalty on Todd Heap negated his catch in the end zone, and Boller's final pass deflected off Heap's shoulder and was intercepted in the end zone by diving lineman Michael Myers.

The Bengals had to work with a makeshift offensive line that was missing three starters by the second quarter. They also briefly lost kicker Shayne Graham, costing them on an extra-point try.

Even receiver Chad Johnson limped off at one point, evidently suffering from a cramp. The Pro Bowl receiver and incessant self-promoter came up big for the Bengals, catching a 39-yard touchdown pass that set the tone.

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