OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens returned to form in record-breaking fashion, using their second blowout in three games to obliterate the memory of a puzzling defeat one week earlier.
The St. Louis Rams had the misfortune of being next on Baltimore’s schedule after the Ravens followed a season-opening 35-7 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 26-13 loss to the rebuilding Tennessee Titans.
Baltimore raced to 21-0 lead in the first quarter against the Rams on Sunday and amassed a franchise-record 533 yards in offense in a 37-7 victory.
So what happened against the Rams?
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin had the answer.
“We wanted to come out and make a statement,” he said. “We wanted to start fast. I know defense was talking about getting some three-and-outs and not letting them convert on third down. Offense, we just wanted to stay on the field — and we did that.”
If the Ravens can do that Sunday night against the New York Jets, they will reach their bye week at 3-1 and be no worse than tied for the lead in the AFC North.
Baltimore received plenty of acclaim after its win over the defending AFC champion Steelers, but its dud against the Titans left open the possibility that perhaps the Ravens were a bit overrated.
Although St. Louis is not very good, 30-point wins on the road in the NFL are a rarity. Not only did Baltimore show its ability to bounce back, but it also displayed its depth.
Injured receiver Lee Evans was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Torrey Smith, who caught five passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
And because the Rams were ready to stop running back Ray Rice, Joe Flacco went 27-for-48 for a career-high 389 yards and three scores.
Harbaugh has no problem with that. What coach wouldn’t want to see his quarterback throw three touchdown passes in the first quarter?
“If you’ve got aspirations to win a championship, you’ve got to be able to attack people in every kind of different way,” Harbaugh said.
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