Ravens sack Niners’ winning streak

Associated Press

BALTIMORE

Big brother got the best of little brother in a unique NFL duel.

The Baltimore Ravens tied a franchise record with nine sacks and beat the San Francisco 49ers 16-6 Thursday night, giving John Harbaugh reason to celebrate after the first NFL game featuring brothers as opposing head coaches.

The Ravens (8-3) chased, hindered and battered Alex Smith for much of the night despite playing without middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the team’s leading tackler and spiritual leader. Lewis was inactive for a second straight game with a foot injury.

Terrell Suggs had three sacks for Baltimore, which moved a half-game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.

The nine sacks tied a franchise record, accomplished twice previously.

San Francisco (9-2) had its eight-game winning streak broken under rookie coach Jim Harbaugh.

John, 49, and Jim, 47, grew up dueling each other in all sorts of games. Competing this time on a national stage, John secured an emotional win over his little brother.

During the final minute, John got a Gatorade bath from his players — twice. After the final whistle, the brothers hugged at midfield.

Baltimore broke a 6-6 tie with a 76-yard, 16-play drive that lasted more than 7 1/2 minutes and ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to tight end Dennis Pitta with 14:56 left. Flacco went 4 for 4 for 34 yards and a touchdown on third down during the drive.

Billy Cundiff wrapped up the scoring with his third field goal, a 39-yarder with 4:16 remaining.

In a game dominated by both defenses, Flacco finished 15 for 23 for 161 yards and Ray Rice ran for 59 yards on 21 carries.