Rookie Joe Flacco outplayed Carson Palmer as the Baltimore Ravens topped AFC North rival Cincinnati 17-10. Flacco completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards while Palmer was just 10 of 25 for 99 yards and an interception.
• Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco was forced into the starting lineup due to injuries but rushed for the winning score and helped the Ravens outgain the Bengals 358-154 in total offense.
• Carson Palmer was held to 99 passing yards, only the third time in his career he has been held under 100 yards. He also didn’t have a TD pass for the 12th time in his career, three of those times coming at the hands of the Ravens.
• Baltimore improved to 12-4 at home against the AFC North since 2003.
Nice start for the 2008 rookie quarterback class as both Flacco and Matt Ryan earned victories in their debuts. Flacco was particularly impressive, even though the Ravens didn’t ask him to do too much. He was steady and didn’t make any mistakes, which is exactly what Baltimore needs from their rookie at the start of his career.
The Bengals only touchdown came from a 65-yard fumble recovery by Jonathan Joseph in the fourth quarter. Baltimore’s defense is still one of the best in the league, but it’s a little shocking that Cincy’s only touchdown came from its defense. Bengals’ running back Chris Perry rushed for only 37 yards on 18 carries, which is significant seeing as how longtime starter Rudi Johnson was recently cut to give Perry an opportunity to start.
