Ravens hold on to beat the Oilers!
Baltimore Ravens’ punt returner Jermaine Lewis is one punt return away from tying the NFL record for punt return touchdowns in a season. Lewis returned a punt 74 yards on the final play of the half that sparked the Ravens’ 13-10 victory over the Oilers on Sunday at Baltimore Memorial Stadium.
Lewis has now returned three punts for touchdowns this season. Jack Christensen of Detroit in 1951 and Rick Upchurch of the Broncos in 1976 have returned four punts for touchdowns in a season.
The Ravens needed Lewis’ punt return as their offense was abysmal. The Ravens managed 273 total yards on the day. QB Eric Zeier replaced an injured Vinny Testaverde and struggled passing the ball. He went 16 of 34 for 182 yards.
Defensively, the Ravens punished the Oilers holding them to just 217 total yards. They harassed QB Steve McNair all day long, so he finished 11 of 30 for 104 yards with a TD and 2 INTs that thwarted Oiler scoring opportunities.
Both the Ravens and the Oilers are out of the playoff hunt. They both have 6-9 records and will play in vital games next Sunday for the AFC Central Division Championship. The Bengals and the Steelers are tied atop the division and Sunday’s game will determine the champion. The Ravens travel to Cincinnati, while the Oilers host the Steelers.