Bengals drop Ravens
CINCINNATI — Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis warmed up by skipping in the end zone, acting much like a heavyweight boxer getting psyched up for a fight.
He was the first one knocked out.
The Cincinnati Bengals won a game of attrition Monday night, using a goal-line stand to hold on for a 27-20 victory that was an appropriate opener for the AFC North's last two champions.
Thanks to a half-dozen Ravens turnovers and a shining last minute by a suspect defense, the Bengals (1-0) were the last ones standing — barely.
"An ugly win or a pretty win — a win is a win against that defense," said Carson Palmer, who threw a pair of touchdown passes.
This one left the Ravens with more worries than just that 0-1 record.
Baltimore won the division by five games last season, thanks to a defense that gave up the fewest points and yards in the NFL. It was in customary form Monday, even though its emotional leader wasn't.
Lewis strained muscles in his upper right arm when he leveled receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on the Bengals' first pass of the game. In a lot of pain, he headed for the locker room to get the arm examined and wrapped.
Lewis returned to the game but favored the arm. He'll have a medical test today to learn the extent of the injury.
While he was in the locker room getting treatment, Lewis missed Chad Johnson's latest venture in sideline theater. The self-promoting receiver celebrated his 39-yard touchdown catch by going to the sideline and donning an oversized blazer that said, "H.O.F. 20??" — putting his career in the Hall of Fame category.
"I told you I would give you a show," said Johnson, who caught five passes for 95 yards.
Players kept dropping, but the show went on.
Operating behind a line that was a work in progress, Palmer completed 20-of-32 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and only one sack.
The Ravens had to adjust as well. A severe knee sprain sidelined kick returner B.J. Sams, so safety Ed Reed filled in and ran a punt back 63 yards for a touchdown that gave the Ravens their first lead, 20-19, early in the fourth quarter.
"Our players were dropping to injury right and left," coach Brian Billick said. "I am proud of what this team did. To bring that up after a loss sounds a little feeble, but this team will stand together that way."
49ers 20, Cardinals 17
In San Francisco, Alex Smith walked into the huddle with the 49ers trailing Arizona with less than 3 minutes remaining and saw a confidence in his teammates that belied the 57 minutes of offensive ineptitude the team had endured.
A team that had gained only 109 yards up until that point needed to go 86 for the winning score.
Smith overcame an otherwise poor night to engineer a game-winning drive capped by Arnaz Battle's 1-yard end-around with 22 seconds left, giving the 49ers a victory over the Cardinals.
