Ravens launch new era with ‘W’

QB Joe Flacco had a good game in his debut with Baltimore.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens successfully launched a new era, for coach John Harbaugh and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

The festive occasion was made complete by a few familiar friends: Rex Ryan and the Baltimore defense.

Flacco ran for a 38-yard touchdown in his first NFL start, and the Ravens held the Cincinnati Bengals to 154 yards and eight first downs Sunday in a 17-10 victory.

“It’s a thrill,” Harbaugh said. “I’m appreciative of [owner] Steve Bisciotti, [general manager] Ozzie Newsome and the rest of the Ravens organization for giving a no-name a chance to be a head coach in this league. We have a long way to go, but this is a good start.”

Thrust into a starting role because of a season-ending shoulder injury to Kyle Boller and Troy Smith’s infected tonsils, Flacco deftly operated within the system of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. The rookie went 15-for-29 for 129 yards and no interceptions, and his touchdown run put Baltimore (1-0) up 17-3 in the third quarter.

If Flacco was unnerved playing in his first NFL game, he sure didn’t look like it. Or feel like it.

“It’s just football. It’s a lot of fun, though, just like it’s always been,” said Flacco, the 18th overall pick in the NFL draft. “I think our offense was in control all day. And obviously we had a lot of help from our defense.”

Ryan, retained as defensive coordinator when Harbaugh replaced Brian Billick, put together a game plan that rendered the Cincinnati offense helpless. Chris Perry gained 37 yards on 18 carries and Carson Palmer was 10-for-25 for 99 yards and an interception.

Chad Ocho Cinco, forced by the NFL to wear Chad Johnson on his jersey, was held to one catch for 22 yards. He praised the blitz-oriented defense deployed by Ryan.

“Two thumbs up to him and what they did today. It was unbelievable, and I told him after the game,” Ocho Cinco said. “I don’t know what they were playing. That’s some playground defense.”

Cincinnati’s lone touchdown came on a 65-yard fumble return by Johnathan Joseph. Palmer couldn’t take the Bengals (0-1) closer than the Baltimore 17, and that drive ended with an interception.

“We got outplayed,” he said. “It was just an ugly game offensively. When you score three points, it’s never good. And our three points were on a two-minute drive. It’s a sick feeling, and it’s going to feel even sicker when we watch the film.”